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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/jonescompanybellOOjone 


y J ONES  & COMPANY, 

BELL  FOUNDERS, 

AND  PROPRIETORS  OF  THE  OLD  ESTABLISHED 


MANUFACTURERS  OF 


CHURCH  BELLS,  CHIMES  AND  PEALS  OF  BELLS, 

FIRE  ALARM  BELLS  OF  ALL  SIZES, 

AND 

Hildreth’s  Rotary  Yoke  with  the  Round  Shank  Beli. 

A LARGE  ASSORTMENT  OF 

Church,  Academy,  Factory,  Steamboat,  Locomotive,  Plan- 
tation, and  other  Bells  kept  constantly  on  hand. 

Corner  Adams  and.  First  Streets, 

TROY,  N.  Y. 


TROT,  N.  Y.  : 

A.  W.  SCRIBNER  & CO.,  BOOK  AND  JOB  PRINTERS,  CCXIX  RIVER  STREET. 


CAUTION 


For  the  protection  of  our  customers  and  for  the  benefit  of  Churches  and 
parties  wishing  Bells,  generally,  we  would  warn  them  of  the  very  inferior 
quality  of  Bells  which  are  being  pressed  upon  the  market  at  cheap  rates.  The 
importance  to  all  who  purchase  CHURCH  BELLS,  of  having  them  thoroughly 
warranted  and  guaranteed  to  be  of  a reliable  quality,  is  very  great,  and  it  is  not 
our  intention  to  Compete  in  Price  with  inferior  goods.  We  claim  ours  to  he 
of  a superior  quality,  and  from  long  experience  we  are  confident  that  the  class 
of  Bells  made  at  tne  Old  Established  Troy  Bell  Foundry  is  in  the  end  the 
cheapest  for  the  purchaser. 

Beware  of  Attempts  to  Deceive  or  Mislead.  The  city  of  Troy  having 
become  celebrated  for  its  Bells,  has  lead  some  manufacturers  at  other  places  to 
claim  that  they  made  their  reputation.  This,  though  entirely  untrue,  we  accept 
as  a most  emphatic  endorsement  of  our  Bells  by  our  competitors.  Tliereis  no  other 
Bell  Foundry  at  Troy  but  ours  ; and  while  we  are  glad  to  please  our  rivals  by 
our  superior  work,  we  do  not  know  why  any  reference  should  be  made  to  it  by 
them,  unless  to  gain  some  advantage  from  the  superiority  of  our  Bells. 

All  letters  addressed  to  Jones  & Co.,  Troy  Bell  Foundry,  Troy,  N.  Y.' 
will  reach  their  destination  and  be  promptly  attended  to. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


The  Bells  of  this  well  known  establishment  are  of  pure 
metal,  and  excel  in  depth  and  richness  of  tone,  prolongation  of 
sound  and  durability.  They  are  hung  with  “Rotary  Yokes’' 
and  other  mountings,  the  best  and  most  complete  in  use,  and  are 
warranted  one  year  against  breaking,  and  tone  to  give  full 
saiisf action  to  the  purchasers. 

The  Proprietors,  having  been  brought  up  from  early  youth  to 
an  experimental  and  practical  acquaintance  with  the  bell  busi- 
ness in  all  its  details,  claim  to  be  practical  Bell  Founders ; in 
addition  to  which  we  have  the  benefit  of  the  experience  and 
accumulated  memoranda  of  our  late  father  and  his  partner,  thus 
giving  us  a range  of  experience  extending  over  a period  of  half 
a century.  We  believe  we  are  justified  in  saying  that  our  Bells 
have  the  best  reputation  of  any  in  the  market,  and  as  their 
manufacture  is  our  exclusive  business,  to  which  we  give  our 
entire  attention,  our  patrons  may  rely  upon  our  sustaining  that 
reputation.  We  also  use  the  celebrated  Round  Shank  Bell, 
together  with  a new  and  greatly  improved  style  of  Hangings, 
which  adds  remarkably  to  the  durability  of  the  bell,  by  allow- 
ing it  to  be  readily  turned  in  the  yoke,  thereby  bringing  the 
blow  of  the  clapper  in  a new  place,  and  at  the  same  time  in- 
creases and  improves  the  tone  by  the  firm  force  with  which  the 
round  taper-shank  of  the  bell  is  held  immovably  in  the  yoke. 

The  Proprietors  believe  themselves  fully  warranted  in  saying 
that  their  extensive  and  long  continued  experience,  and  the  very 
material  improvements  that  have  been  successively  invented,  and 
introduced  into  their  method  of  casting  bells,  and  the  construc- 
tion and  adaptation  of  their  hangings,  have  enabled  them  to 
bring  this  important  branch  of  manufacture  to  a greater  per- 
fection than  hitherto  attained ; in  proof  of  the  correctness  of 
which  they  need  only  refer  to  the  well  established,  and  con- 


r M 

JO 


4 ......  ..SFPY.BELL  FOUNDRY. 

stantly  increasing  estimation  in  which  their  bells  are  held  by  the 
public,  the  large  number  of  gold  and  silver  medals  awarded  them 
by  public  institutions  for  their  superiority  over  all  others,  the 
commendatory  and  highly  flattering  testimonials  constantly 
received  from  purchasers  (a  few  of  which  are  appended  hereto), 
and  their  constantly  increasing  orders. 

Situated  at  a point  most  favorable  for  shipping  bells  cheaply 
and  with  expedition  to  all  parts  of  the  land,  their  ample  and 
extensive  foundry  and  grounds,  and  enlarged  and  superior  facili- 
ties and  appliances  for  the  manufacture  of  bells,  are  unsurpassed 
by  any  other  establishment  in  the  country  or  the  world. 

We  are  now,  and  at  all  times,  prepared  to  furnish  Bells  of 
all  descriptions,  weighing  from 

15  to  20,000  Pounds, 

and  most  unhesitatingly  warranted  to  he,  in  each  and  every  one 
of  the  qualities  and  requisites  which  constitute  a perfect  bell, 
equal  to  the  best  article  ever  manufactured.  We  challenge 
comparison  of  our  bells  with  any  others  made. 

More  full  descriptions  of  the  several  kinds  and  varieties  of 
bells,  together  with  the  hangings  suitable  for  each,  and  Lists  of 
Prices,  keys,  dimensions,  &c.,  will  be  found  on  subsequent  pages, 
under  the  appropriate  heads. 

BELLS 

Cast  and  hung  by  these  improved  methods  and  processes,  far 
excel  those  made  in  the  ordinary  way,  in  Tone,  Durability,  and 
Volume  of  Sound,  as  well  as  in  Perfect  Finish.  This  was  tested 
in  competition  with  different  Bell  Founders  in  the  United  States 
at  the  Fair  of  the  Mechanics’  Metropolitan  Institute,  at 
Washington,  D.  0.,  in  February,  1S53,  and  a premium  was 
awarded  us  for  the  most  perfect  Castings,  clearest  tone,  and 
longest  vibration,  of  Bells  of  the  same  weight,  over  the  oldest 
Bell  Manufacturers  in  this  country.  We  were  also  awarded  the 
highest  premium  at  the  State  Fair,  held  at  Saratoga  Springs, 
in  September,  1853.  And  at  the  State  Fair,  held  at  Water- 
town  in  1856,  we  again  received  the  highest  premium — our 
bells  being  pronounced  superior  in  richness  and  power  of  tone. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  5 


At  the  Fair  of  the  American  Institute,  held  at  Caotle  Garden, 
New  York,  October,  1853,  we  were  awarded  a Gold  Medal  for 
superior  hells;  again  in  1855,  the  only  Medal  for  best  specimen 
of  Church  Bells,  was  awarded  us.  We  also  received  the  First 
Premium  at  the  Iowa  State  Agricultural  Society  Fair,  held 
in  1856,  for  best  Church  Bells  ; also,  the  First  Premium  from 
the  Connecticut  State  Agricultural  Society  Fair,  held  at 
New  Haven  in  1856  ; at  the 

WORLD’S  FAIR, 

held  at  the  Crystal  Palace , January,  1854,  we  received  the  Medal 
for  superior  tone  and  finish  of  Bells,  in  competition  with  those 
of  Europe,  and  several  from  this  country. 

At  the  State  Fair  held  at  Albany,  in  October,  1859,  we 
received  premiums  as  follows,  viz: 

First  Premium  on  ------  - Church  Bells. 

First  Premium  on  - - - . - - - Academy  Bells. 

First  Premium  on Locomotive  Bells. 

First  Premium  on Chime  of  Bells. 

First  Premium  on Patent  Rotary  Yoke. 

Besides  a Special  award  of  the  Large  Silver  Medal  to  the 
Chime. 

These  were  the  only  First  Premium-s  awarded  on  either  of  the 
above  classes  of  Bells. 

Patent  Rotary  Yoke. 

We  ask  especial  attention  to  the  fact,  that  Hildreth’s  Patent 
Rotary  Yoke  was  also  awarded  the  Large  Silver  Medal,  over  all 
competition.  t^For  its  advantages  see  page  8.) 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  New  York  State  Agricultural 
Society,  held  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  in  1860,  we  received  the  follow- 
ing awards : 


Best  Chime  of  Bells, First  Premium. 

Best  Fire  Alarm  Bells,  - - - - First  Premium. 

Best  Church  Bells, First  Premium. 

Best  Collection  of  Bells,  - - - - First  Premium. 


and  on  Patent  Rotary  Yoke  for  Bells,  First  Premium. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


Iii  18 ()<)■,  fit  Y.,  we  received  the 

Highest  Premium  on  - - - Patent  Rotary  Yoke. 

Highest  Premium  on  - - - - Fire  Alarm  Bell. 

Highest  Premium  on Church  Bell. 

Highest  Premium  on Academy  Bell. 

Highest  Premium  on  - - . Plantation  Bell. 

Highest  Premium  on  - - Best  Collection  of  Bells. 

and  we  have  received  the  First  Premium  at  other  competitive 
exhibitions. 

As  an  evidence  of  the  superiority  of  our  manufactures,  we 
refer  not  only  to  these  and  many  other  Premiums  received  at 
different  times,  but  to  thousands  of  our  bells  now  ringing 
throughout  the  United  States,  the  British  Possessions  and  Span- 
ish America,  and  commendatory  letters  from  those  who  have 
purchased  them,  without  number.  (See  page  31.)  The  various 
Gold,  Silver  and  Bronze  Medals , also  the  Diplomas  received, 
may  be  seen  at  our  office  at  any  time. 


Patent  Metal  ic  Flasks. 

The  new  mode  of  casting  Bells  in  Perforated  Metalic  Flasks, 
now  concededly  the  greatest  modern  improvement  in  the  manu- 
facture of  Bells,  was  invented , patented , and  first  introduced  at 
this  establishment. 

Previous  to  this  invention,  the  moulds 
being  made  of  clay  and  brick,  had  to  be 
imbedded  in  the  earth  to  prevent  frac- 
ture in  casting,  and  no  provision  being 
made  for  the  escape  of  confined  air  and 
gases,  an  imperfect  or  porous  casting 
was  too  often  the  result,  whereas  these 
Metalic  Flasks  are  made  with  numer- 
ous perforations,  to  prevent  this  diffi- 
culty. They  consist  of  an  outside  Flask. 
(A)  and  an  inside  Flask,  (B)  of  the  gen- 
eral form  of  a Bell,  as  shown  in  the  cut, 
the  one  coated  externally,  and  the  other 
internally,  with  a combustible  matter  mixed  with  loam. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  7 


A,  B,  represents  the  two  flasks 
closed  together  as  in  casting,  with 
a section  removed  to  show  the  rel- 
ative position  of  the  flasks  with 
their  several  coatings,  and  the  bell 
between  them.  The  combustible 
matter  burns  out  soon  after  the 
Bell  is  cast,  giving  it  an  opportunity  to  shrink,  and  thus  prevent- 
ing the  occurrence  of  what  is  called  a tire-crack  or  strain.  Being 
above  ground  when  cast,  the  gases  escape  freely,  and  there  is  a 
circulation  of  cool  air,  both  in  and  outside  of  the  mould.  This 
causes  the  Bell  to  cool  evenly,  and  a perfect  and  solid  casting  is 
the  result,  combining  great  strength  and  durability. 

Our  manner  of  closing  the  moulds  by  means  of  guides  con- 
centrically arranged  in  reference  to  the  inner  and  outer  flasks, 
(see  A.  B,j  enables  us  to  secure  perfect  uniformity  in  the  thick- 
ness of  the  Bell.  This  renders  the  vibration  perfect  and  more 
lasting,  and  produces  from  the  Bell,  not  only  the  greatest 
amount  of  sound  of  which  the  metal  it  contains  is  susceptible, 
but  that  which  is  most  rich,  musical  and  agreeable  ; whereas  in 
the  old  mode  of  casting,  Bells  are  often  found  thicker  on  one 
side  than  the  other  and  consequently  of  an  imperfect  and  un- 
pleasant tone,  and  liable  to  crack  after  some  use. 


8 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


“HILDRETH’S  ROTARY  YOKE,” 

AND 

THE  ROUND  SHANK  BELL, 

SECURING 

Grrea/tly  Increased.  Durability, 

AND 

A MORE  FULL  AND  PERFECT  TONE. 


The  Troy  Bell  Foundry 
owned  this  patent,  and  the 
exclusive  right  to  manufac- 
ture and  sell  Round  Shank 
Bells,  provided  and  hung 
with  this  Yoke,  and  have 
adapted  it  to  all  their  Bells. 

The  advantages  arising 
from  this  invention  and  ap- 
pliance are  very  obvious, 
as  will  appear  by  a little 
explanation.  The  old  mode 
of  hanging  Bells  causes  the 
clapper  to  strike  constantly 
in  two  places  only,  on  op- 
posite sides  of  the  Bell,  and 
it  it  in  two,  which  result  is 
only  a question  of  time.  Whereas,  by  the  use  of  the  above 
yoke  a man  can  change  the  blow  of  the  clapper  to  any  other 
point  in  the  circumference  of  the  Bell  in  one  minute,  and  as 
often  as  desired,  leaving  the  Bell  hung  in  the  most  perfect  order, 


in  a direct  line,  so  as  to  eventually 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


9 

and  the  clapper  and  springs  all  the  while  undisturbed  and 
requiring  no  alteration,  thus  materially  lessening  the  risk  of 
breaking,  and  increasing  the  durability  of  the  Bell  beyond 
measure. 

The  Bell,  it  will  be  seen,  is  cast  with  a round  tapering  shank, 
made  to  exactly  tit  in  a corresponding  hole  in  the  yoke. 


The  Bell  is  fastened  in  the  yoke  by  a bolt,  B,  (as  shown  in 
the  cut  above,)  with  the  Bell  resting  on  the  shoulders  of  the 
bolt.  This  bolt  passes  up  through  the  shank  of  the  Bell,  and 
through  a metal  cap,  (w)  with  a nut  (rt)  screwed  on  the  top  of 
the  bolt.  By  screwing  up  this  nut,  the  shank  is  drawn  firmly 
into  the  yoke,  and  they  are  held  together  with  great  solidity  and 
force. 

When  it  is  desired  to  turn  the  Bell,  it  is  only  necessary  to 
slacken  or  unscrew  the  nut  a little , sufficiently  to  relieve  the 
shank  from  contact  with  the  yoke,  and  the  bell  will  freely  turn, 
resting  on  the  shoulders  of  the  bolt,  and  is  made  fast  again  by 
tightening  up  the  nut.  This  is  a process  so  simple  and  easily 


10 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


performed  that  a bell  of  any  size,  may,  when  the  nut  is  loosened, 
be  turned  by  the  hand  alone. 

The  cap  w is  doweled  to  the  yoke,  so  that  it  can  not  turn  with 
the  nut,  and  the  bolt  is  prevented  from  turning  by  a projection 
from  its  sides,  fitting  a groove  in  the  cap,  by  which  means  the 
swing  of  the  tongue  is  kept  always  at  right  angles  to  the  yoke, 
and  it  and  the  springs  held  stationary  while  the  Bell  is  turned. 

After  turning  the  Bell,  care  should  be  taken  to  bring  the 
shank  again  very  snug  and  firmly  into  the  yoke  by  tightening  the 
nut  with  considerable  force.  A wrench  is  sent  with  each  Church 
Bell. 

Improved  Tone. 

It  is  proved  by  experience,  that  the  tone  of  the  Bell  is  brought 
out  much  more  fully  and  clearly  by  the  firmness  with  which  the 
shank  of  the  Bell  is  held  by  this  appliance  in  its  corresponding 
socket  in  the  yoke,  than  by  the  old  plan,  whereby  the  horns  of 
the  Bell  are  merely  held  by  staples,  in  contact  with  the  under 
side  of  the  yoke.  This  method  is  unquestionably  a great  im- 
provement in  hanging  Bells,  and  was  awarded  the  silver  medal 
of  the  American  Institute  for  such  improvement. 

Note. — The  great  and  increasing  favor  in  which  this  Yoke  with  the  Round 
Shrmk  Bell  is  held  by  the  public,  has  led  recently  to  a cumbersome  imitation  of 
it,  in  which  it  is  attempted  to  adapt  the  old  fashioned  Bell,  cast  with  horns,  to 
being  turned  in  the  yoke.  The  arrangement,  however,  is  so  complicated  and 
difficult  to  put  in  operation  as  to  be  of  little  practical  value.  This,  however, 
not  working  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  purchasers  of  Bells,  other  imitations  have 
been  resorted  to.  The  Bells  have  three  or  more  bolts  passing  through  the  Bell 
and  all  passing  through  the  metal  cap,  (w),  and  in  order  to  turn  the  Bell  all  the 
nuts  have  to  be  loosened  before  the  Bell  can  be  turned. 

In  behalf  of  those  interested  in  this  imitation  it  has  been  insinuated  that  a 
single  bolt,  though  sufficient  to  hold  a small  Bell,  might  not  prove  safe  for  a large 
one,  to  which  we  answer,  that  there,  is  plainly  no  force  in  the  objection,  if  the 
size  of  the  bolt  is  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  Bell.  We  have  for  years, 
hung  the  largest  Church  Bells  and  Fire  Alann  Bells,  (weighing  from  8,000  to 
11,000  pounds,)  with  a single  bolt,  and  not  one  of  them  has  ever  failed  or  broken, 
and  we  are  ready  to,  and  will  in  every  instance  if  desired,  bind  ourselves  in  a 
satisfactory  penalty  that  it  shall  not  happen. 


A Movable  Journal. 

We  attach  this  so  that  the  Bell  can  be  raised  or  lowered  in  the 
yoke  by  means  of  the  notched  pivot  arm  bolted  to  the  ends  of 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


11 


the  yoke,  as  shown  in  the  cut  on  page  9,  thus  enabling  any  per- 
son to  ring  the  largest  bell  with  ease.  For  method  of  using  this 
see  directions  at  page  27. 

Steel  Springs. 

Are  so  arranged  and  connected  with  the  clapper,  that  it  can  not 
rest  on  the  Hell,  preventing  the  rebounding  or  jarring,  (often 
heard  where  this  is  wanting,)  prolonging  the  vibration,  and  im- 
proving the  sound.  These  also  are  shown  in  the  cut  at  page  9, 
where  s p.  represents  the  spring. 

Frame , Wheel,  Tolling  Hammer,  &c. 

A timber  frame,  on  which  are  placed  the  Iron  Standards  sup- 
porting the  Hell,  the  Wheel,  an  extra  Hammer  for  tolling,  and  a 
wrench,  accompany  each  Hell,  and  in  cases  of  large  Bells,  a 
Counterpoise,  to  lessen  the  labor  of  ringing,  and  a Stop,  to  avoid 
the  throwing  over  of  the  bell  ; in  short,  every  appendage  neces- 
sary for  the  hanging  and  ringing  of  bells.  All,  or  any  part  will 
be  furnished  if  desired. 

Pr  ices  of  Bells. 

Owing  to  the  constant  fluctuations  in  the  price  of  metals  on 
which  the  price  of  Bells  depend,  no  uniform  rate  can  be  printed 
in  a circular  at  which  they  will  continue  to  be  sold,  but  all  in- 
quiries from  those  desiring  to  purchase  will  be  promptly  respond- 
ed to,  and  the  lowest  rates  given. 

Address, 


“ JONES  & CO.,  Troy,  N.  Y.” 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


CHUECH  BELLS. 


A complete  assortment  of  Church  Bells,  of  all  sizes,  from  the 
smallest  to  the  largest  ever  used,  kept  constantly  on  hand,  made 
of  the  purest  metal,  cast  on  the  improved  plan  above  described, 
and  hung  with  “ Hildreth’s  Rotary  Yoke,”  the  only  really 
practical  appliance  which  permits  the  Bell  to  be  turned  in  the 
yoke  at  pleasure,  so  as  to  prevent  the  liability  to  break  (see  p.  8) ; 
a detached  arm  which  secures  ease  in  ringing ; Steel  Springs 
which  hold  the  clapper  from  the  Bell  after  it  has  struck,  and 
prolong  and  improve  the  sound;  Wooden  Frame  and  Iron 
Stands,  or  uprights  for  supporting  the  Bell ; Wheel  of  Oak 
timber  and  Tolling  Hammer  fitted  with  a clevis  to  the  frame, 
each  and  all,  the  same  in  every  respect,  as  separately  herein- 
before described,  and  constituting  the  most  complete,  perfect 
and  convenient  fixtures  for  using  the  Bell  under  all  circumstances 
yet  devised.  Sometimes  Bells  of  less  than  400  lbs.  are  used  for 
6inall  Churches,  Chapels,  &c.,  for  which  see  '‘Academy,  Factory 
and  Depot  Bells,”  page  14. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


13 

In  the  accompanying  table  will  be  found  our  list  of  Church 
Bells,  range  within  which  they  may  be  toned,  diameter  at  mouth, 
size  of  frame  and  wheel,  and  price  of  mountings : 


WEIGHT  OP 
BELL. 

KEYS. 

DIAMETER. 

SIZE 

OF  FRAME. 

DIAMETER  OF 

WHEEL. 

PRICE  OF 

HANGINGS. 

-D 

400 

lbs. 

C 

to 

E 

27 

in. 

38 

in 

Square. 

48 

in. 

$ 23.00 

C?  500 

a 

\\b 

“ 

D 

29 

“ 

38 

Li 

Li 

48 

LL 

30.00 

C 

600 

u 

B b 

LL 

C# 

31 

U 

43 

U 

Li 

53 

Li 

32.00 

3 

700 

u 

A 

u 

C^ 

33 

u 

43 

U 

Li 

53 

a 

35.00 

-B 

800 

u 

A 

ll 

c 

34 

u 

48 

Li 

Li 

63 

Li 

35.00 

B 

> 900 

u 

A b 

u 

B 

36 

u 

50 

ii 

Li 

63 

LL 

40.00 

$!> 

1000 

LL 

A b 

ll 

B 

38 

u 

51 

a 

a 

66 

LL 

40.00 

A 

1100 

u 

G 

ll 

B b 

40 

u 

53 

a 

ii 

69 

LL 

40.00 

G41200 

u 

(t 

u 

B 

41 

u 

53 

a 

ii 

69 

LL 

45.00 

- 

1300 

u 

F# 

a 

A 

42 

53 

a 

ii 

69 

LL 

45.00 

1400 

ll 

F* 

A 

43 

u 

55 

u 

Li 

78 

LL 

50.00 

G- 

1500 

ll 

F 

u 

c# 

44 

a 

58 

u 

LL 

78 

LL 

50.00 

«- 

1600 

a 

F 

u 

Gi 

44 

u 

58 

a 

ii 

78 

U 

50.00 

42 

1800 

a 

E 

u 

45 

u 

64 

u 

u 

84 

LL 

65.00 

2000 

a 

Eb 

u 

G 

46 

u 

64 

u 

Li 

84 

a 

70.00 

F 

2200 

u 

E b 

u 

Gr 

48 

a 

67 

u 

Li 

84 

Li 

70.00 

- 

2300 

ll 

E b 

u 

f# 

49 

u 

67 

a 

ii 

84 

a 

75.00 

E 

2500 

a 

D 

50 

a 

72 

a 

ii 

90 

Li 

80.00 

2800 

ll 

D 

u 

F 

52 

u 

72 

a 

Li 

90 

Li 

85.00 

£>3000 

ll 

D 

u 

F 

53 

u 

72 

a 

Li 

90 

ii 

90.00 

3300 

ll 

Db 

a 

E 

54 

u 

75 

a 

Li 

90 

Li 

90.00 

D 

3500 

a 

DJ 

u 

E 

56 

a 

77 

a 

ii 

96 

ii 

95.00 

— 

4000 

u 

C 

a 

E b 

58 

u 

77 

a 

U 

96 

ii 

100.00 

4500 

u 

C 

u 

E b 

60 

wb 

82 

a 

LL 

102 

ii 

110.00 

C 

5 u>0 

u 

B 

u 

D 

62 

U 

82 

Li 

Li 

102 

ii 

120.00 

Chimes  of  Bells,  hung  in  an  Oak  Frame,  as  shown  on  pages 


19-21,  or  adapted  to  space  and  position  in  the  Tower,  at  prices 
ranging  from  $125  to  $300, — or  each  Bell  hung  separately  with 
the  Hildreth’s  Rotary  Yoke  when  desired,  as  is  sometimes  the  case. 

Remark. — In  procuring  a bell,  parties  purchasing  would  do  well  to  leave  the  determination 
of  its  tone  to  our  discretion.  It  is  frequently  the  case  that  the  ringing  quality  of  a bell  is 
seriously  impaired  by  its  having  been  made  upon  a tone  either  higher  or  lower  than  that  which 
the  weight  of  metal  is  best  calculated  to  give.  This  most  frequently  arises  from  endeavoriug 
to  imitate  the  tone  of  a favorite  bell,  in  a new  one,  without  due  regard  to  their  comparative 
weight.  Of  the  range  of  tones  of  any  bell  given  in  our  table,  a medium  between  the  highest 
and  lowest  will  usually  be  found  most  desirable. 

The  diameters  of  bells,  as  given  in  our  tables,  exceed  the  exact  measurements  by  fractional 
parts  of  an  inch. 

The  weights  given  are  those  which  designate  the  pattern,  the  actual  weights  usually  exceed- 
ing these  by  fromt  wo  to  three  per  cent. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


14 


FACTORY,  ACADEMY  AND  DEPOT  BELLS. 


From  100  lbs.  to  400  lbs.  in  weight;  hung  with  “Hildreth’s 
Rotary  Yoke,”  which  prevents  the  Bell  from  being  broken  in 
ringing,  (see  page  8,)  Iron  Wheel  and  Standards,  timber  frame 
and  Steel  Springs,  being  as  full  hangings  in  every  respect  as  for 
Church  Bells,  except  the  Tolling  Hammer  and  wrench. 

LIST  OF  ACADEMY,  FACTORY  AND  DEPOT  BELLS. 


WEIGHT. 

DIAM. 

SIZE  OP 

FRAME. 

PRICE  OP 

HANGINGS. 

WEIGHT. 

DIAM. 

SIZE  OF 

FRAME. 

PRICE  OF 
HANGINGS 

loo 

17  in. 

26  in.  Sq. 

SlO.Oo’ 

225 

23  in. 

33  in.  So. 

$15.00 

125 

18  “ 

27  “ “ 

10.00 

250 

24  “ 

34  “ “ 

18.00 

150 

19  “ 

28  “ “ 

12.00 

300 

25  “ 

35  “ “ 

18.00 

180 

20  “ 

31  “ “ 

15.00 

350 

26  “ 

36  “ “ 

20.00 

200 

22  « 

33  “ “ 

15.00 

375 

26  “ 

36  “ “ 

2o.oo 

TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


15 


STEAMBOAT  BELLS, 


Ranging  from  100  lbs.  to  700  lbs., 
mounted  with  Rotary  Yoke,  with  lever- 
arm  attached,  for  steamboat  ring- 
ing. Polished  bells  furnished  to  order; 
as  also  Gallows  Frames  and  Fancy 
Mountings. 


LIST  OP'  STEAMBOAT  BELLS. 


WEIGHT. 

PRICE  YOKE 

AND  CRANK. 

WEIGHT. 

PRICE  YOKE 

AND  CRANK. 

100  lbs. 

$6.00 

350  lbs. 

$12.00 

150  “ 

7.00 

400  “ 

15.00 

180  “ 

8.00 

450  “ 

15.00 

200  “ 

10.00 

500  “ 

18.00 

250  “ 

10.00 

600  “ 

18.00 

300  “ 

12.00 

700  “ 

18.00 

SHIP  BELLS, 

Of  any  size,  turned  and  finished  in  fancy  hangings,  in  brass  or 
bronze.  Any  lettering  or  inscription  engraved  on  the  Bells  or 
Yokes  desired. 


Locomotive,  Plantation  and  Hose  Carriage  Bells 

Ranging  from  15  lbs.  to  150  lbs.  ; mounted  with  Yoke  and  Tail, 
plain  Yoke,  or  without  mounting.  Locomotive  Bells  cast  with 
shank  of  any  desired  shape,  without  extra  charge.  Polished 
Bells  furnished  to  order. 


BELLS  OF  LESS  THAN  100  LBS. 

Are  usually  furnished  with  a Yoke  and  Sparrow  Tail  only. 


PRICES  OF  YOKE  AND  TAIL. 


15  lbs.  ) 
20  lbs.  f 
25  lbs.  ) 
30  lbs.  f 
40  lbs. 


$2.00. 


$3.00. 
(5*3. 50. 


50  lbs. 
00  lbs  i 
80  lbs.  )’ 
90  lbs.  i 
100  lbs.  f 


$3.5t>. 

$4.00. 

$5.00. 


I 


These  Bells  are  made  with  a hollow  base  or  standard,  which 
answers  the  purpose  of  a sounding  board.  It  gives  them  a deep, 
rich,  mellow  tone, — the  vibration  is  long  and  sweet.  A hand- 
some rosewood  striker,  silver  mounted,  is  furnished  with  each 
gong. 

9 Inch  diameter, 

10  “ “ 
lli  “ 


3 


$23  00 
27  00 
31  00 


18  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY 


ALTAR  CHIMES,  (3  BELLS.) 


Small  Silver  Plated,  - - - - - $5  50 


ALTAR  HAND  BELLS. 


Different  sizes  and  patterns,  Silver  plated 
or  C4ilt. 

Price  from  $1.00  to  $6.00. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY 


19 


CHIME. 

Placed  in  St.  Stephen’s  Church,  Philadelphia. 

Nine  Bells,  Key  of  D.  Weight  12,798  lbs. 

Ill  1 1 1 II  The  first  complete  Chime  made  in  this  country, 
now  in  use.  See  letter  of  Rev.  Dr.  Ducachet,  in  recommendations. 


20  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 

Chimes  of  Bells.* 

By  this  term  is  usually  implied  any  number  of  bells  which 
are  attuned  with  each  other,  although,  strictly  speaking,  a chime 
is  a set  of  bells,  the  tones  of  which,  beginning  with  the  largest 
(commonly  called  the  tenor ,)  follow  each  other  in  diatonic  suc- 
cession. A peal,  as  now  generally  understood  in  this  country, 
consists  of  three  or  more  bells  attuned  in  harmonic  succession, 
which  may  be  rung  successively  or  simultaneously,  but  will  not 
admit  of  a tune  being  played  upon  them.  Thus  a set  of  bells 
upon  the  eight  notes  of  the  common  scale  would  be  a chime ; a 


Chime.  Peal. 


set  upon  th eflrst,  third , fifth  and  eighth  of  the  scale  would  be  a 
peal. 

The  smallest  number  of  bells  that  can  be  said  to  compose  a 
chime  is  five ; the  number  may  lie  increased  indefinitely.  The 
usual  number  is  eight — corresponding  with  the  eight  notes  of  the 
natural  scale.  But  the  addition  of  the  flat  seventh  tone  to  the 
common  scale  gives  a new  series  of  diatonic  tones — five  in  num- 
ber— in  the  key  of  the fourth,  thus  aft'ording  music  in  two  keys, 
and,  as  the  bell  which  produces  that  tone  is  of  comparatively 
light  weight,  it  is  usually  added  to  the  octave,  so  that  a full 
chime  is  now  composed  of  at  least  nine  hells.  The  addition  of 
the  sharp  fourth  tone  gives  a new  series  of  six  in  the  key  of  the 
second , but  as  this  requires  a much  heavier  bell  it  is  seldom  em- 
ployed. 

The  usual  manner  of  mounting  chimes  in  this  country,  is  to 
suspend  the  bells  stationarily  (except  the  tenor)  from  a frame  or 
beams,  constructed  in  such  a manner  as  will  conform  with  the 
size  and  construction  of  the  tower.  The  bells  are  rung  by 
means  of  cords  attached  to  the  clappers  and  led  by  pullies  to  the 
ringer’s  room  below,  where  they  are  connected — in  the  order  of 
the  notes — with  lever  handles  so  arranged  that  the  bells  may  all 
be  chimed  by  one  person.  The  tenor  bell  is  provided  with  mount- 
ings for  swinging  in  order  that  it  may  be  rung  as  an  ordinary 

* Note.— If  parties  desiring  to  purchase  Chime6  or  Peals  of  Bells,  will  furnish  us  with  the 
amount  they  desire  to  expena  for  same,  and  plans  of  the  tower,  &c.,  we  will  iumish  estimates 
of  the  cost  and  weights  delivered  and  put  up  in  complete  ringing  order  in  the  tower. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  21 


church  bell,  and  is  usually  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  bell- 

room  (or  as  in 
cut  on  page  19,) 
the  others  being 
placed  about  it 
in  such  relative 
positions  as  will 
most  judicious- 
ly distribute  the 
weight  and  allow 
of  the  best  ar- 
rangement of  the 
ringing  cords. — 
Chimes  of  Bells — Elevation  (one  side.)  In  the  English 

mode  of  mounting,  each  bell  is  provided  with  a yoke  and  wheel, 
and  the  tone  is  produced  by  oscillating  the  bells  as  in  ordinary 
church  bell  ringing,  the  whole  being  sustained  by  a heavy  and 
complicated  frame:  the  bells  are  rung  by  a corps  of  ringers — 
one  man  being  employed  at  each — to  organize  and  sustain  which, 
particularly  in  a small  town,  is  a matter  of  some  difficulty.  It 
will  be  seen  that  our  mode  of  mounting  is  preferable  in  that  a con- 
siderable portion 
of  the  original 
expense  of  ring- 
ing apparatus  is 
saved  ; the  chim- 
ing of  bells  being 
accomplished  by 
one  person,  is 
not  attended 
with  that  expense 
and  trouble  in- 
volved in  keep- 
ing up  a corps  of 
ringers ; the  ne- 
cessity for  that 
long  practice 
which  a corps  of 
Chime  of  Bells — Horizontal  Plan  (looking  from  above.)  ringers  must  have 


22 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


together,  in  order  to  ring  even  passably,  is  avoided ; the  bell-room 
does  not  require  to  be  of  as  great  capacity  in  order  to  accom- 
modate the  bells,  and  the  strain  and  momentum  produced  by  a 
number  of  bells  swinging  simultaneously  being  avuided,  the 
tower  does  not  require  to  be  of  as  great  strength.  It  is  true,  no 
doubt,  of  a single  bell,  that  the  peculiar  crescendo  and  dimin- 
uendo tone  which  it  gives  when  swinging,  is  preferable  to  the 
monotony  of  tone  produced  by  striking  it  when  at  rest,  but  this 
monotony  disappears  when  a number  of  harmonic  bells  are 
struck  successively. 

Peals  of  bells,  since  it  is  impracticable  to  play  tunes  upon 
them,  usually  have  each  bell  mounted  to  be  swung,  so  that  a 
very  pleasant  variety  of  tone  is  obtained  by  their  successive 
ringing,  or  when  rung  simultaneously — as  upon  national  days 
and  festive  occasions — a line  effect  is  thus  produced.  If  we  come 
to  consider  for  a moment,  we  shall  soon  discover  what  an  infinite 
variety  of  sounds  may  be  produced  by  the  judicious  chan  yea 
which  may  be  rung  upon  a peal  of  Bells.  If  we  take  three  bells 
merely,  we  shall  perceive  by  the  following  arrangement,  that  six 
different  changes  can  be  rung  upon  them  ; — 


2 

3 

1 

3 

2 

1 


3 

2 

3 

1 

1 

2 


1 

1 

2 

2 

3 

3 


four  Bells  can  in  the  same  manner  be  shown  to  ring  four  times 
as  many  changes  as  three,  viz: — twenty -four;  live  bells  live  times 
as  many  as  four — one  hundred  and  twenty. 

It  is  usually  contemplated,  however,  that  a peal  shall  form  the 
nucleus  of  a future  chime,  and  with  this  view  we  always  take 
and  retain  the  exact  tone  of  peal  bells,  and,  when  desired,  that  of 
single  bells  also,  so  that  we  may  be  able,  at  any  subsequent  time, 
to  add  others  in  harmony. 

We  pay  particular  attention  to  getting  up  Peals  or  Chimes  of 
Bells,  keyed  on  any  letter  of  the  musical  scale  desired.  We 
commence  the  scale  on  C,  D,  E flat,  E,  F,  or  G.  From  either  of 
these  we  can  ascend  an  octave,  and  by  adding  one  bell  to  the 
different  scales,  tunes  can  be  played  in  different  keys.  For  in- 
stance, in  the  key  of  C add  F sharp,  key  of  D add  G sharp,  key 
of  E add  D natural,  and  so  on  in  each  scale.  With  our  improved 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  23 


mode  of  casting  we  are  enabled  to  cast  them  precisely  on  their 
respective  keys,  without  resorting  to  the  ordinary  way  of  chip- 
ping or  tiling.  This  has  never  been  done  by  any  other  Founders 
in  this  country  or  Europe.  We  would  refer  to  one  recently  made 
at  this  Foundry  and  hung  in  St.  Stephen’s  Church,  Philadelphia, 
(a  correct  design  of  which  may  be  seen  on  page  19,  the  first  com- 
plete chime  made  in  this  country,  now  in  use,)  and  would  call 
your  attention  to  the  list  of  Peals,  Chimes  and  Chime  liells  be- 
low, which  we  are  at  liberty  to  refer  to. 

List  of  Chimes,  Peals,  and  Chime  Bells, 


Which  have  been  made  at  the  Old  Established  Troy  Bell  Foundry,  Troy,  N.  Y. 


Year. 

Where  Sent. 

Denomin’n. 

No. of 
Bells. 

Weight  of 
the  largest 
Bells. 

Total 

Weight. 

1853 

St.  Stephen’s  Church,  Philadelphia,  Pa., 

Episcopal. 

9 

2,838  lbs 

12,798  lbs. 

Rev.  H.  0.  Sheldon,  Bacon,  0 

o,  i ssn  “ 

2,510  “ 

1854 

“ Z.  B.  H.  Marcotte,  De  Lavaltrie,  C.  E. 

Catholic, 

3 

1,073  “ 

2,327  “ 

1855 

“ J.  0.  Pare,  Montreal,  C.  E., 

3 

2,980  “ 

6,789  “ 

“ Mr.  Laport,  Kildare,  C.  E 

“ 

3 

946  “ 

2,235  “ 

“ J.  B.  Label le,  Repentigny,  C.  E 

* Holy  Cross  Church,  Troy,  N.  Y., 

“ 

4 

1,504 

3,644  “ 

Episcopal. 

1 

550  “ 

550  “ 

1857 

Episcopal  Church,  Lowell.  Mass., 

11 

2,272  “ 

9,899  “ 

1859 

J.  Anderson,  New  York  City, 

Catholic. 

3 

1,300  “ 

2,834  “ 

St.  Joseph's  Church,  Fremont,  0., 

1 

2,009  “ 

2,009  “ 

Rev.  L.  M.  Brassard,  St.  Roch  L’Acliigan, 
C.  E 

a 

3 

750  “ 

1,550  “ 

1860 

Rev.  Alonzo  G.  Shears,  New  Haven,  Ct., 

Episcopal. 

9 

350  '• 

1,656  “ 

“ 

Church  of  the  Nativity,  Bridgeport,  Ct., 

10 

500  ‘ 

1,803  " 

“ 

Trinity  Church,  Trenton,  N.  J., 

“ 

4 

518  “ 

992  " 

1861 

Rev.  J.  Harper,  St.  Gregorie,  C.  E 

Catholic. 

1 

1,582  - 

1,582  “ 

Rev.  J.  C.  Marquis,  St.  Pierre  Celestine, 
C.  E 

„ 

3 

660  “ 

1,281  “ 

1862 

Rev.  Rupert  Leidenbush,  Newark,  N.  J., 

2 

1,714  “ 

2,650  “ 

1863 

“ E.  T.  Hurteau,  St.  Lin,  C.  E 

Catholic. 

3 

1,208  “ 

2,61 1 “ 

1864 

“ C.  A.  Loranger,  Lanoraie,  C.  E.,. . . . 

“ 

4 

1,555  “ 

3,253  “ 

Christ  Church.  Detroit,  Mich 

Episcopal. 

9 

2,410  “ 

9,708  “ 

H.  Schneider,  Esq.,  Erie,  Pa . . . 

2 

792  “ 

1,311  “ 

2,681  “ 

“ 

Rev.  J.  Chevigny,  Contrecoeur.  C.  E 

Catholic. 

3 

1,418  “ 

1965 

'•  P.  Bedard,  L’Epiphanie,  C.  E., 

“ 

3 

1,215  “ 

2,608  “ 

1867 

“ U.  Archambault,  St.  Barth61em6, 
C.  E 

<< 

3 

1,991  “ 

3,932  “ 

“ 

St.  J.  seph’s  Church,  Fremont,  0., 

" 

2 

1,173  “ 

1,910  “ 

St.  Augustine  Catholic  Church,  Lansing- 
burgli,  N.  Y' 

„ 

3 

1,600  “ 

3,200  “ 

Convent  of  Sacred  Heart,  Kenwood, 
Albany,  N.  Y 

„ 

4 

1,069  “ 

2,350  “ 

1868 

St.  Boniface  Church,  Buffalo,  N.  Y 

“ 

3 

1,241  - 

2,685  “ 

“ 

Paroisse  de  St.  Esprit,  Montreal,  C.  E.,.  . 

“ 

3 

1,404  “ 

3,304  “ 

« 

St.  Martin’s  Church.  Baltimore,  Md 

4 

1,022  “ 

2,571  “ 

“ 

1st  Evang.  Luth.  Church,  Harrisb’gli,  Pa. 

Lutheran. 

9 

1,606  “ 

6,309  “ 

186  9 

« <1  ..  “ “ 

“ 

2 

701  “ 

1,093  “ 

♦This  Bell  was  originally  cast  (by  another  foundry.)  to  go  with  the  Chime  in  that  Church, 
but  was  decided  to  be  the  wrong  key,  and  we  were  called  upon  to  recast  it. 


Hangings  for  Chimes. — For  rates  of  hangings,  see  page  13. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


ALARM  BELLS. 

Patterns  expressl}7  for  Fire  Alarm  Bells,  of  any  desired  weight, 
up  to  20,000  lbs.,  hung  in  the  same  manner  as  those  used  in  New 
York,  with  Carson's  Patent  Ft  re  Alarm  Striking  Apparatus  at- 
tached, if  desired.  The  largest  now  in  use  in  New  York  city, 
were  cast  by  us  within  the  last  few  years,  also  in  San  Francisco,  Cal. 
Chicago,  Til.,  Augusta,  Ga.,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  four  (4)  for  Boston, 
Mass.,  Hartford,  Conn.,  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  and  the  principal 
cities  of  the  United  States,  and  Canadas. 


TKOY  BDLL  FOUNDRY.  25 


Clapper  Springs. 

Are  attached  to  all  bells  of  100  lbs.,  and  upwards;  the  position 
and  action  of  which  will  be  understood  upon  reference  to  the 
cut  upon  the  9th  page.  The  spring  and  clapper-clevis  are  both 
connected  to  the  centre  bolt  which  passes  up  through  the  top  of 
the  bell,  and  by  it  the  arms  of  the  spring  are  always  held  in  the 
path  in  which  the  clapper  swings,  catching  it  just  before  it 
reaches  the  bell,  permitting  it  to  strike  with  sufficient  force,  and 
then  holding  it  away  so  that  the  vibration  is  uninterrupted,  and 
its  clattering  upon  the  bell,  after  having  struck,  is  avoided.  To 
avoid  the  noise  of  contact  of  the  clapper  against  the  spring,  the 
arms  of  the  latter  are  sheathed  at  the  ends  with  leather,  which 
should  be  renewed  occasionally  as  they  become  worn.  Should 
the  spring,  after  usage,  be  found  to  allow  the  clapper  to  strike  a 
double  blow  it  may  be  remedied  by  putting  in  a bar  between  the 
springs  and  the  side  of  the  bell,  and  bending  them  out  a little 
further. 

Tolling  Hammer. 

Bells  of  400  lbs.,  and  upwards,  are  furnished  with  a tolling 
hammer  which  is  attached  to  the  frame,  as  shown  in  the  cut  upon 
the  12th  page.  This  is  a very  desirable  appendage  for  tolling,  as 
by  it  a uniform  and  lull  blow  may  be  obtained,  and  it  is  also  very 
etfective  in  giving  a quick  fire-alarm  blow.  When  the  bell  is 
being  rung  by  the  main  rope,  the  tolling  hammer  cord — if  not 
under  the  eye  of  the  ringer — should  be  so  secured  that  it  may 
not  be  thoughtlessly  pulled,  since  the  hammer  is  thus  liable  to 
be  broken  off  and  even  the  bell  dismounted. 

Stop. 

To  prevent  bells  of  large  weight  from  being  thrown  over  in 
ringing  (which,  owing  to  the  manner  in  which  the  rope  is  ad- 
justed for  such  bells,  deranges  its  connection  with  the  wheel), 
we  attach  a stop,  or  clutch,  to  the  rim  of  the  wheel,  and  a cor- 
responding one  to  the  frame  platform,  which  clutches,  coming  in 
contact  with  each  other  just  before  the  bell  is  mouth  up,  arrest 
its  motion  and  allow  it  to  swing  back  again. 

4 


26  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 

Old  Bells. 

Old  bell  metal  (copper  and  tin)  bells  taken  in  part  payment 
tor  new  ones,  or  bought  outright.  When  forwarded  to  us  mark 
legibly  upon  them  in  addition  to  our  address,  by  whom  sent,  as 
it  may  avoid  confusion. 

Inscriptions. 

Any  desired  inscription  will  be  put  upon  bells  made  to  order, 
without  extra  charge. 

Directions  for  Mounting,  Ringing,  &c. 

In  constructing  the  tower,  if 
practicable,  openings  should  be 
left  so  that  the  bell  may  be  ele- 
vated to  its  place  through  the 
inside.  Should  it  be  necessary, 
however,  to  hoist  it  from  the 
outside,  the  accompanying  cut 
will  give  an  idea  of  the  manner 
in  which  it  may  be  done.  From 
near  the  top  of  one  of  the  win- 
dows of  the  bell-room,  project, 
at  an  elevated  angle,  a stick  of 
timber  of  sufficient  strength,  at 
the  end  of  which  a tackle  is 
attached.  The  timber  must 
have  a firm  bearing  and  be  se- 
cured so  that  it  can  not  move. 
If  sufficient  power  can  not  be 
applied  to  the  tackle  from 
within  the  bell-room,  then  lead 
the  rope  to  the  ground  and  pass 
it  through  a stationary  pulley, 
so  that  any  number  of  men,  or 
a team,  may  draw  upon  it. — 
Having  got  the  bell  to  the 
proper  height  it  may  be  drawn  in  with  a single  rope  or  a 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  27 

small  tackle.  In  whatever  manner  the  hell  is  hoisted,  the  frame 
should  first  be  got  up  and  placed  in  position  so  that  it  has  a firm 
and  level  bearing ; the  wheel  should  also  be  got  up  and  in  readi- 
ness to  attach.  If  desirable,  the  stands  may  be  readily  taken 
off  from  the  frame,  and  the  frame  itself  unjointed  and  taken  up 
in  pieces.  Should  it  be  impracticable  to  set  the  bell  in  the 
frame  at  once  when  hoisted,  it  may,  if  a new  purchase  with 
the  tackle  cannot  be  conveniently  rigged,  be  raised  from  the 
bell-room  floor  by  levers  and  blocking,  care  being  taken  not  to 
break  out  its  edges  in  using  iron  bars.  In  bolting  on  the  wheel 
arm  of  the  yoke,  place  it  at  the  same  notch  as  the  other  ; and 
also  place  the  wheel  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  frame  to  that 
to  which  the  tolling  hammer  is  attached.  After  the  bell  is 
mounted,  brace  the  stands  firmly  sidewise,  either  to  the  floor  or 
the  sides  of  the  tower,  so  as  to  prevent  their  becoming  broken 


The  manner  of  attaching  the 
rope  is  shown  in  the  accompany- 
ing cut,  it  being  fastened  to  the 
wheel  at  A,  and  passes  down 
directly  under  the  centre  of  the 
bell  through  the  sheaves  at  B. 
With  this  arrangement  the  bell 
may  be  thrown  over,  as  it  will 
be  more  or  less,  and  the  connec- 
tion of  the  rope  with  the  wheel 
will  not  be  deranged.  If  the 
weight  of  the  bell  is  such  that 
with  the  bend  in  the  rope  at  B 
the  labor  of  ringing  is  too  great,  then  it  may  be  run  down  in  the 
direction  of  the  dotted  line,  passing  through  the  floor  at  0, 
in  which  case  no  sheaves  are  necessary.  With  the  rope  so 
arranged  it  is  necessary  to  prevent  the  bell  from  being  thrown 
over,  to  effect  which,  a stop  is  attached  to  the  wheel,  as  described 
at  page  25,  with  which,  however,  care  must  be  exercised  when 
ringing,  else  the  bell  may  swing  with  too  great  force  when 
arrested  by  it,  thus  jarring  the  tower  and  injuring  the  mountings. 
The  rope  should  not  be  larger  than  is  necessary,  since  by  its 


by  any  accidental  side  strain. 


28  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 

inflexibility  and  weight  it  may  encumber  the  free  swing  of  the 
bell.  Tiie  following  sizes  of  ropes  are  suitable: 

For  bells  of  less  than  500  pounds,  ^ inch  diameter. 

“ from  500  to  1200  “ f “ “ 

“ from  1200  and  above,  “ £ “ “ 

For  large  hells,  a piece  may  be  spliced  for  the  ringer  to  take 
hold  of. 

The  mountings  should  be  examined  occasionally  to  see  that 
the  nuts  are  screwed  up  and  that  the  spring  is  in  proper  order. 
(See  page  25).  The  bearings  should  also  be  oiled  occasionally, 
care  being  taken  not  to  let  oil  or  grease  drip  and  accumulate 
upon  the  bell. 

Towers  for  Bells. 

We  have  noticed  of  late,  that  many  architects  are  building 
small  fancy  towers  without  any  regard  to  the  accomodations 
for  a bell,  the  openings  in  the  towers  are  small,  and  a bell 
might  just  as  well  be  placed  between  four  walls  with  no 
openings  at  all,  as  in  some  of  the  towers  as  they  are  made  at  the 
present  day.  All  towers  in  which  it  is  intended  to  put  bells 
ought  to  be  ceiled  above  and  below  the  bell,  in  order  to  prevent 
the  sound  ascending  the  tower,  and  the  windows  well  opened 
(entirely  if  possible)  to  fully  allow  the  sound  of  the  bell  to  go  out. 
The  mouth  of  the  bell  when  at  rest  ought  not  to  be  lower  than 
the  bottom  of  the  windows,  and  the  openings  as  large  as  possi- 
ble. 

Directions  for  Ringing. 

The  Sexton,  or  Bell-ringer,  in  commencing  to  ring,  should, 
after  allowing  the  clapper  to  strike  six  or  eight  times,  ring  the 
bell  up , that  is,  with  the  mouth  upward  and  horizontal ; then 
fasten  the  rope  and  desist  a minute,  or  until  the  other  bells  (if 
any)  have  done  the  same,  then  repeat  the  ringing  as  before,  al- 
ternating with  the  other  bells  of  the  city  or  village,  if  any. 
After  ringing  the  usual  time  in  this  way,  let  down  the  hell  and 
apply  the  extra  hammer  for  tolling,  or  toll  with  the  clapper, 
which  gives  a better  sound,  though  the  hammer,  requiring  less 
skill  in  use,  is  commonly  preferred  for  tolling. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


29 

As  the  tolling  hammer  has  not,  like  the  clapper,  a spring  to 
throw  it  from  the  bell  after  the  blow  is  struck,  great  care  should 
be  taken  to  strike  a hard,  short  blow , and  let  the  hammer  drop 
from  the  side  of  the  bell  after  the  blow  as  quickly  as  possible , as 
any  continued  contact  with  the  bell  produces  a very  unpleasant, 
jarring  sound. 


Raising  Bell  in  the  Yoke. 

Should  the  bell  fail  to  ring  with  sufficient  ease,  block  it  up 
underneath,  loosen  the  screws  of  the  bolts  which  connect  the 
yoke  witli  the  notched  pivot-arms,  and  with  a lever  raise  the  bell 
one  or  two  notches,  as  the  case  may  require,  and  again  fasten  the 
bolts.  In  all  cases  the  bell  should  be  allowed  to  hang  as  low  in 
the  yoke  as  sufficient  ease  in  ringing  will  allow,  as  the  lower  it 
hangs  the  heavier  the  blow  given. 

The  yoke  is  properly  adjusted,  in  this  respect,  before  the  bell 
leaves  the  foundry,  and  it  will  seldom  be  found  necessary  to 
make  any  variation. 

Turning  the  Bell  in  the  Yoke. 

I 

When  it  is  desired  to  have  the  clapper  strike  in  a different 
place  loosen  the  nut  above  the  yoke,  when  the  bell  may  be 
readily  turned  with  the  hand,  and  again  tighten  the  nut,  very 
tight , as  the  tone  is  much  improved  by  the  great  firmness  with 
which  the  bell  is  held  in  this  Yoke.  See  page  9. 

Warranty. 

Each  bell  of  100  lbs.,  or  over,  is  accompanied  by  the  following 
warranty  attached  to  the  bill  of  sale : 

“ The  above  mentioned  bell,  and  its  mountings,  are  warranted 
not  to  break  in  one  year  from  date,  and  tone  warranted  satisfac- 
tory to  the  purchaser.  Should  they  fail  or  break  during  the 
year,  we  agree  to  recast  the  bell  or  replace  the  broken  mount- 
ings without  charge.” 

Signed, 

JONES  & COMPANY. 

Dated,  Troy. 


30  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


Location. 

Our  Foundry  being  located  by  the  Depot  of  the  New  York 
Central,  Hudson  River,  Eastern  and  Northern  Railroads,  at  the 
junction  of  the  Northern  and  Western  Canals,  and  near  the 
Hudson  River,  gives  us  an  advantage  in  shipping  not  possessed 
by  any  other  establishment. 

Directions  for  Shipping. 

Parties  ordering  bells  should  state  the  route  and  inode  of  con- 
veyance by  which  they  wish  them  forwarded,  as  from  our  unri- 
valed location  shipment  may  be  made  in  almost  any  direction, 
either  by  land  or  water,  by  a variety  of  routes.  When  left  to 
our  discretion  we  always  select  such  routes  as  we  can  ascertain 
to  be  the  most  direct  and  expeditious,  and  for  the  interests  of 
our  customers. 

Rates  of  Transportation. 

The  rates  of  transportation  are  undergoing  so  many  variations 
from  season  to  season,  and  during  the  same  season,  that  any 
general  statement  ot  them  very  soon  loses  all  value  and  becomes 
liable  to  mislead. 

When  desired,  however,  we  ascertain  and  communicate,  by 
letter,  the  best  Toute  and  means  of  conveyance  to  any  given 
point,  rate  of  freight,  and  time  occupied  in  transportation.  And 
it  is  our  custom  to  make  through  contracts  at  the  best  rates 
available,  inclosing  duplicate  receipts  or  hills  of  lading  to  the 
purchaser. 

In  all  cases  we  pay  freight  to  New  York  on  Bells  shipped  in 
that  direction,  and  going  to  or  beyond  that  city. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  31 


RECOMMENDATIONS 


That  have  been  received  from  every  State  in  the  Union  and  foreign 
parts  where  our  bells  have  been  sent.  We  present  but  a few. 


ALFRED  CARSON,  Chief  Engineer  New  York  Fire  Department,  writes:  In 
answer  to  your  inquiry  as  to  my  opinion  of  the  Fire  Alarm  Bell  recently  cast  by 
you  for  the  Marion  Street  Tower,  I would  say  that  I consider  it  at  least  equal  to 
any  bell  cast  for  this  city,  and  do  not  think  it  can  be  excelled  by  one  of  equal 
weight  elsewhere. 

[Wt.  of  bell,  10,000  lbs. ; key  of  C.] 

J.  B.  HOSMER,  Treasurer  Pearl  Street  Congregational  Society,  Hartford, 
Conn  . writes : The  bell  you  made  for  the  Pearl  Street  Church  was  duly  received, 
and  was  raised  to  its  place,  in  the  tower,  last  week.  It  has  been  rung  repeatedly 
on  week  days,  as  well  as  on  the  Sabbath,  so  that  our  citizens  have  had  an  abun- 
dant opportunity  to  hear  it  and  to  compare  it.  with  the  bells  of  our  city.  It  is 
superior  in  richness  of  tone  and  vibration,  and  in  the  casting  and  finish,  to  any 
of  our  church  bells,  and  is  entirely  satisfactory  to  the  members  of  our  Society. 
We  shall  take  great  pleasure  in  recommending  your  house  for  the  manufacture 
of  Church  Bells  of  a superior  quality. 

[Wt.  of  bell,  2,709  ; key  of  D.] 

HENRY  COYLE,  r.  c.  p.,  Waukegan,  111.,  writes : We  are  happy  to  inform 
you  of  the  safe  arrival  of  the  bell  ordered  at  your  establishment.  It  was  im- 
mediately raised  to  its  place  of  destination,  such  was  the  anxiety  elicited  by  our 
citizens,  as  well  as  the  members  of  our  congregation,  to  hear  its  sweet  and  pon- 
derous peals.  All  are  satisfied,  and  acknowlege  its  superiority,  in  tone  and 
vibration,  over  all  the  bells  in  this  city.  Many  of  our  mechanics  were  attracted 
and  astonished  at.  the  beauty  of  the  casting,  and  declared  it  to  be  the  neatest 
and  smoothest  bell  they  ever  laid  eyes  upon.  In  honor  of  your  abilities,  gentle- 
men, in  the  formation  of  bells  for  sweetness  of  tone  and  loftiness  of  vibration, 
we  cannot  withhold  our  recommending  your  establishment  to  the  public  in 
general,  who  wish  to  secure  superior  bells. 

[Wt.  of  bell,  1,125  ; key  of  A.] 

A.  M.  PERKINS,  Becket.,  N.  Y.,  writes  : Yours  was  duly  received.  My 
delay  has  been  to  hear  of  nearly  all  of  the  members  of  the  Society  their  opin- 
ion of  the  new  bell.  When  our  bell  broke,  no  one  of  them  expected  that  its 
place  would  be  made  good  by  any  one  we  could  get  of  a similar  weight ; they 
are  very  agreeably  disappointed.  I know  of  no  one  who  does  not  consider  it 
fully  equal  to  the  old  bell,  while  some  think  it  superior  ; all  are  well  satisfied. 
Your  bell  gives  a great  volume  of  sound  near  to  it,  and  we  think  can  be  heard  as 
far  ; its  key  is  lower  than  the  old  one.  For  the  many  favors  received,  aud  the 
gentlemanlike  treatment  shown  from  you  to  me,  while  in  Troy,  pl-ase  accept  my 
best  wishes  for  the  welfare  and  success  in  the  business  you  both  know  so  well 

[Wt.  of  bell,  740  ; key  of  B.] 

GEORGE  H.  JONES,  Agent,  Victory  Company,  Victory  Mills,  July  21st,  1853, 
writes : It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  say  that,  after  a trial  of  a week,  your  bell 


32 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


I 


gives  us  great  satisfaction  ; it  has  a fine,  clear  tone,  and  the  prolonged  vibration 
is  superior  to  any  bell  I ever  noticed. 

[Wt.  of  bell,  984  ; key  of  A.] 

REV.  HENRY  COX,  Hillsdale,  writes:  We  received  the  bell  (for  our  new 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church)  in  good  order,  and  I write  to  assure  you  that  we  are 
fully  prepared  to  endorse  your  statement,  “that  a better  bell,  of  the  weight, 
never  was  cast."  In  fact  we  have  a bell  on  our  church  in  the  village,  the  weight 
is  over  1,100,  and  all  declare  that  the  bell  on  the  new  church  is  equal  to  it,  and 
some  believe  it  is  even  superior.  You  may,  indeed,  congratulate  yourselves  on 
the  superiority  of  your  castings  to  any  in  the  country. 

[Wt.  of  bell,  744  ; key  of  B.] 

MR,  J.  C.  GARTWAITE,  Newark,  N.  J.,  writes:  We  have  fully  tested  the 
bell  on  St.  Paul’s  Chapel.  It  far  exceeds  our  expectations  for  beauty  of  tone 
and  capacity,  and  is  superior  to  the  other  three  bells  I obtained  at  another  foundry. 

MR.  M.  S.  BAILEY,  Bouckville,  N.  Y.,  Writes  : After  visiting  many  other 
foundries,  and  hearing  bells  that  were  widely  advertised,  I went  to  yours,  and 
after  hearing  the  bells  became  satisfied  that  you  relied  on  your  bells  to  advertise 
you. 

Although  I ordered  a much  heavier  bell  (1,004  pounds)  than  I was  authorized, 
yet  after  hearing  it  our  people  would  not  let  it  return  to  Troy  for  twice  its  cost. 
Persons  residing  seven  or  ten  miles  off  are  telling  us  of  having  heard  it  distinctly 
at  home.  You  need  not  send  any  more  advertisements,  for  the  bell  will  advertise 
you  through  this  valley. 

MR.  J.  OSGOOD,  Morenci,  Mich.,  writes  : According  to  agreement,  I drop  a 
line  to  let  you  know  the  bell  came  through  safe  and  sound,  and  I think  I can 
safely  say  that  we  have  got  the  best  bell  in  the  county.  1 think  it  fully  equal 
to  a sixteen  hundred  bell  in  Adrian.  People  come  in  daily,  from  six  to  eight 
miles  in  the  country,  saying  that  they  heard  it  plainly  at  their  homes  ; I have 
no  d >ubt  but  it  is  heard  ten  or  twelve  miles.  The  people  are  well  pleased  with  it. 

[Wt.  of  bell,  779  lbs.] 

REV.  WM.  WHITE  BRONSON,  Danbury,  Conn.,  writes:  The  work  of 
lowering  our  broken  bell  (from  the  other  foundry),  and  replacing  it  by  the 
new  and  sweet  toned  one  from  your  establishment,,  was  completed  on  Friday,  and 
in  accordance  with  my  promise  I hasten  to  inform  you  of  the  impression  it  has 
made  upon  an  entire  comunity.  I have  been  again  and  again  congratulated,  by 
all  denominations,  upon  what  they  regard  as  a public  blessing,  viz  : the  posses- 
sion of  a fine  toned  bell — snperior  to  any  which  our  village  can  boast. 

When  Mr.  Jones  assured  me  that  it  would  compete  with  heavier  bells  of  a 
different  make,  I was  not  prepared  not  having  heard  this)  to  be  disappointed,  as 
I have  been,  in  the  volume  of  sound  ; but  the  truth  of  his  language  has  been 
verified — and  this  is  admitted  on  all  hands.  Few  were  aware  of  the  arrival  of 
the  lii'll,  and  the  first  time  it  was  sounded,  on  its  way  up  the  spire,  it  attracted  a 
general  notice.  All  are  impressed  with  the  su]  erior  richness  and  beauty  of 
tone — the  clearness  and  length  of  the  vibrations.  Persons  living  in  the  immedi- 
ate neighborhood  of  the  church,  and  who,  under  ordinary  circumstances  object 
to  the  ringing  of  bells,  have  said  that  they  cared  not  how  otten,  or  how  long 
this  was  rung.  Its  qualities  have  been  tested  by  superior  judges  in  the  musi- 
cal profession,  and  all  are  satisfied — and  this  is  not  said  in  a spirit  of  flattery 

[Wt.  of  bell,  960  ; key  of  A.] 

TRUSTEES  OF  M.  E.  CHURCH,  Pittsfield,  write:  The  bell  which  we 
purchased  of  you,  for  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  we  raised  to  its  destined 
position  as  soon  as  it  arrived  We  were  pleased  with  the  smoothness  of  the  cas- 
ting, but  more  especially  with  the  volume  of  the  sound,  the  prolongation  of  vi- 
bration, and  the  sweetness  of  tone.  In  all  these  respects  we  think  it  will  com- 
pare favorably  with  the  heavier  and  more  expensive  bells  of  our  village. 

Levi  Childs,  ) 

John  M.  Holland,  [•  Trustees. 
Daniel  C.  Mohey.  ) 


[Wt.  of  bell,  1,995 ; key  of  E flat.] 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  33 


P.  H.  WAGNER,  Esq.,  President  of  Board  of  Trustees  of  Fort  Plain  Semi- 
nary and  Female  Collegiate  Institute,  writes  : Your  bell  is  elegantly  performing 
its  functions  in  our  cupola.  We  have  in  our  churches  two  bells  that  exceed 
yours  in  weight  by  300  to  400  pounds,  but  yours  is  decidedly  the  best  in  fullness 
of  tone  and  vibration  ; and  I am  informed  it  can  be  heard  as  distinctly  at  as  great 
a distance.  This  bell  bears,  and  will  continue  to  bear,  a flattering  testimonial  in 
the  Mohawk  Valley  to  your  enterprise  and  skill 

[Wt.  of  bell,  753  ; key  of  B.] 

MR.  EDWARD  C.  WOLCOTT,  Sandisfield,  writes:  After  a trial  of  nearly 
one  year  of  that  bell  I purchased  of  you,  I must  say  it  has  given  good  satisfaction 
to  every  one  of  the  Society.  I don’t  think  there  can  be  a better  toned  bell  cast 
than  ours.  It  is  rung  twice  every  day — at  noon  and  9 o’clock  at  night. 

REV.  H.  W.  DUOACHET,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  writes  : You  would  be  pleased 
to  hear  the  delight  which  all  the  citizens  express  when  the  bells  are  chimed  ; 
and  they  do  great  credit  to  you  as  their  founders.  You  are  at  liberty  to  use  my 
name  as  reference. 

[Weight  of  bells — 2,838  lbs.,  key  of  D. ; 2,112  lbs.,  key  of  E. ; 1,570  lbs.,  key 
of  F.  Sharp  ; 1,430,  key  of  G. ; 1,234,  key  of  A.;  1,019,  key  of  B.  ; 912,  key  of  C. ; 
803,  key  of  C.  Sharp ; 820,  key  of  D.] 

This  is  the  chime  represented  at  page  19.  In  ordering  a bell  for  another 
church,  August  14th,  1859,  Dr.  Ducachet  says  of  this  chime,  “the  chime  continues 
to  give  the  same  high  degree  of  satisfaction  as  at  first,  and  you  may  continue 
to  use  my  name  as  a reference.”  [See  page  41], 

REV.  C.  LA  ROCQUE,  St.  Johns,  C.  E.,  writes  : I am  verry  happy  that  I can 
avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to  let  you  know  that  the  Catholics  of  St.  Johns 
have  enjoyed  a truly  merry  Christmas.  Our  bells,  which  were  put  up  last  week 
in  their  proper  place,  the  belfry  of  our  church,  were  rung,  for  the  first  time,  on 
the  evening  before  last,  to  announce  the  great  festival  and  solemnity  of  our 
Saviour’s  birthday.  It  lies  not  in  my  power  to  describe  to  you  the  amazing  effect 
they  have  produced  on  the  whole  population  of  our  village.  For  my  part,  when 
I bought  them  of  you,  I was  confident  that  they  would  afford  to  myself  and  con- 
gregation a full  satisfaction,  but  in  so  doing  they  succeeded  far  beyond  my 
ho | e and  expectation.  Their  perfect  cliordiug — their  powerful  and  melodious 
tone — their  beautful  matching  of  sound  cannot  be  surpassed,  1 dare  say,  by  any 
bells  of  the  same  size  and  weight.  It  remains  only  for  me  to  wish  that  they  may 
not  hereafter  prove  deficient,  or  fail  in  any  thing  that  might  injure  their  exce  - 
lent  qualities  of  a bell.  Till  new  account  of  the  bells,  or  of  any  thing  else,  I have 
a real  pleasure  in  wishing  you  success  in  your  business. 

[Wt.  of  bells,  1510,  1228,  key  of  F.] 

REV.  CHESTER  L.  FOTTE,  Avon,  Loraine  Co.,  Ohio,  writes;  The  bell 
gives  general  satisfaction  ; it  compares  very  favorably  with  other  bells  in  this 
part  of  the  country.  To  particularize  as  to  finish,  the  gentleman  that  assisted 
us  in  hanging  it,  who  has  done  more  or  less  of  this  business  for  some  time,  said 
that  it  had  the  best  finish  of  any  bell  he  ever  saw.  The  tone  is  frequently  spo- 
ken of  as  being  excellent.  An  old  gentleman,  recently  from  England,  speaking 
with  me  to  day  about  the  bell,  spoke  in  high  terms  of  the  tone.  What  has  been 
said  of  the  finish  and  tone,  may  be  said  of  the  volume  of  sound.  The  price  also 
is  satisfactory.  I shall  take  pleasure  in  recommending  persons  wishing  to  get 
bells  to  purchase  of  you. 

WEBSTER  WILLIAMS,  Esq.,  Newark,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y.,  writes  : We  re- 
ceived our  bell  (for  St.  Mark’s  Church,)  and  immediately  hung  it,  and  have 
been  using  it  ever  since.  It  gives  universal  satisfaction,  and  is  pronounced  by 
all  that  it  is  the  best  toned  bell  in  this  vicinity,  although  it  is  the  lightest  one. 
The  persons  living  next  the  church  were  afraid  that  a bell  hung  so  near  them 
would  be  an  aunoyance,  but  the  tone  is  so  rich  that  they  would  not  now  have  it 
removed,  and  we  are  now  satisfied  that  we  done  the  best  in  leaving  it  entirely  to 
your  judgment. 

5 


34  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


MR  STILLMAN  F.  LEGG  and  others,  East  Candor,  Tioga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  writes: 
We  have  received  the  hell  for  our  new  church  in  good  order  (with  the  exception 
of  the  wheel  being  damaged  a trifle,  the  flange  being  split  oft'),  and  we  are  happy 
to  inform  you  tuat  we  are  all  well  satisfied,  aud  have  to  acknowledge  that  it  far 
exceeds  our  expectations  in  richness  of  tone  and  vibration.  It  is  pronounced  to 
be  far  superior  to  any  bell  in  this  part  of  the  state.  The  bell  arrived  on  the  6th 
iust  . aud  the  next  day  we  raised  it  in  the  tower  in  good  order.  Please  accept 
our  be>.  wishes  for  your  welfare  and  success  in  business,  aud  thanking  you  for 
the  favors  you  have  granted  us. 

REV.  (i.  GROSS,  Rickville,  writes  : I can  say,  without  exaggeration,  that 
the  bell  which  we  purchased  of  you  has  obtained  great  celebrity  in  this  vicinity 
as  a good  ringer.  I have  been  much  pleased  to  hear  the  voluntary  commenda- 
tions given  to  it,  not  by  the  multitude  merely,  but  by  those  who  are  judges  of 
the  sounds  of  bells. — One  gentleman  who  is  frequently  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
says  that  he  never  heard  a better  sounding  one  there,  not  excepting  tin  se  on 
Trinity  Church.  It  is  my  opinion  that  it  is  not  surpassed  by  any  bell  in  Northern 
New  York,  of  its  weight 

Much  success  to  you,  sirs,  in  your  business,  so  long  as  you  deal  justly  with  all, 
and  may  your  bells  thus  honestly  sound  far  and  near  through  the  nation,  and 
bespeak  nothing  in  their  chime  but  truth  and  righteousness,  and  I trust  they  will. 

[Wt.  of  bell,  615,  key  of  C.] 

J.  CARL,  Esq.,  Secretary  Vigilant  Fire  Co.,  York.  Pa„  writes : It  gives  me 
pleasure  to  inform  you  that  our  bell  (purchased  of  you)  was  placed  in  its  position 
last  New  Year’s  day,  and  every  way  proves  satisfactory  to  the  members  of  our 
company,  and  I cau  assure  you  it  does  its  duty  in  raising  an  alarm  when  it  gets 
going.  There  are  bells  in  town  larger  than  this,  but  none  have  been  heard  far- 
ther out  in  the  country. 

REV.  W.  C.  MATTISON,  Whitesville,  Alleghany  Co.,  N.  Y„  writes : The 
bell  we  purchased  at  your  foundry  has  now  been  hung  and  in  use  eight  months. 
It  is  what  you  recommended  it  to  be,  rich,  clear  tone.  Having  heard  bells  from 
another  foundry  at  Wellsville,  and  also  at  Andover,  in  this  county,  one  weighing 
1095,  the  other  800,  we  would  not  exchange  on  even  terms  (ours  weighing  625.) 

MOSES  C.  CLEVELAND,  Esq.,  Southold,  N.  J.,  writes:  Gentlemen — The 
bearer  of  this  is  my  son,  N.  Hubbary  Cleveland  ; he  being  about  to  visit  your 
city,  I thought  it  a good  opportunity  to  drop  you  a line  concerning  the  bell  we 
purchased  of  you  last  March.  I am  of  the  opinion  that  it  cannot  be  beat  by  any- 
thing of  its  weight  for  sound  or  vibration  ; it  is  a beautiful  clear  toned,  musical 
bell.  I have  just  returned  home  from  a little  tour  in  New  York,  Connecticut 
aud  Massachusetts  ; I had  the  opportunity  of  hearing  a number  of  bells,  and  in 
some  instances  inquired  the  weight  of  the  bell.  One  in  particular  that  the  people 
seemed  satisfied  with,  and  thought  it  a good  one,  weighed  over  1100  lbs.,  certainly 
was  no  better  than  ours,  if  as  good ; it  was  at  Bergen,  N.  J.  Accept  my  best 
regards,  with  my  best  wishes  for  success  in  your  business. 

MESSRS.  WELLS  & BEX  BY,  Wvalusing,  Bradford  Co.,  Pa.,  write  : Yours 
of  the  6th  inst„  acknowledging  receipt  of  draft  for  balance  of  bell  is  at  hand. 
The  bell  which  we  purchased  of  you  last  November  for  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  this  place,  continues  to  give  the  most  perfect  satisfaction,  and  we  think  it  can- 
not be  beaten  for  a 1200  lb.  bell.  Shall  be  happy  if  our  names,  as  reference,  can 
be  of  any  use  to  you. 

SILAS  M.  HOLMES,  Detroit,  Mich.,  writes:  The  bell  you  cast  for  the  Fort 
Street  Congregational  Church,  1 as  been  raised  to  its  place  in  the  tower  over  100 
feet  from  the  sidewalk  ; it  has  been  used  since  the  dedication  of  the  church,  which 
was  on  the  21st  of  September.  Its  powers  have  been  tested,  and  as  far  as  we  can 
now  learn,  gives  full  satisfaction  to  the  fair  donors  of  our  society,  who  were 
instrumental  in  raising  the  means  for  its  purchase,  as  well  as  to  the  community 
who  hear  its  chiming  peals.  Its  tone  is  soft,  clear  and  melodious,  and  can  be 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  35 


distinctly  heard  at  a distance.  It  is  pronounced,  by  those  not  connected  with 
our  society,  to  be  the  best  bell  now  in  our  city.  Hoping  that  you  will  be  as  suc- 
cessful in  all  your  future  castings,  1 remain  respectfully,  yours,  &c. 

In  behalf  of  the  Building  Committee  of  the  1st  Congregational  Society, 
Detroit. 

REV.  II.  M.  THOMPSON,  Portage,  V is.,  writes:  I hasten  to  acknowledge 
the  receipt  of  your  beautiful  bell,  a most  excellent  one,  giving  good  satisfaction, 
and  being  put  ahead  of  the  bell  here,  from  another  foundry  wliich  is  two  hundred 
pounds  heavier,  by  all  good  judges.  The  tone  is  the  subject  of  all  men’s  praises. 

MR.  R.  C.  CASEY,  Sandy  Hill,  writes:  The  bell  we  purchased  of  you  has 
be  n in  use  some  eight  months,  and  its  tone  is  admired  by  all  our  citizens.  It 
gives  universal  satisfaction,  and  we  can  with  confidence  recommend  your  bells  to 
any  churches  who  may  be  in  want.  Hoping  you  success  in  your  business,  &c. 

GEORGE  II.  JONES,  Chief  Engineer,  Newark,  N.  J.,  writes:  The  fire-alarm 
bell  purchased  of  you  for  the  city  of  Newark,  has  proved  to  be  a superior  bell, 
and  gives  universal  satisfaction,  being  distinguished  readily  from  all  other  bells 
in  the  city  by  its  tone  and  power,  and  I consider  it  an  indispensable  appendage  to 
our  fire  department. 

[Wt.  of  bell,  1035  ; key  of  G.] 

MR.  THOMAS  H.  EVISTON,  Milwaukee,  writes;  We  are  in  receipt  of  your 
bell  on  the  29th  ultimo.  We  hung  it  the  same  day,  and  have  great  pleasure  in 
stating  that  it  has  given  great  satisfaction  to  the  Company  and  community  at 
large  and  especially  our  Chief  Engineer  and  Comptroller.  It  is  one  of  the  best 
fire-alarm  bells  belonging  to  any  company  in  our  city,  and  gives  the  best  report. 

I had  the  pleasure  myself  of  ringing  it  tlie  first  time,  and  many  spectators  were 
waiting  for  the  first  alarm  of  the  new  bell,  all  of  whom  felt  highly  pleased  at 
the  tone  of  the  new  bell. 

REV.  EUGENE  AUG’S  HOFFMAN,  Christ  Church  Rectory,  Elizabethtown, 
N.  J.,  writes : The  bell  which  you  sent  to  St.  Stephen’s  Church,  Milburn,  has 
now  been  in  use  for  nearly  a year.  It  weighs  but  1,308  lbs.,  and  yet,  being  keyed 
on  F,  has  the  sound  of  a much  larger  bell.  Its  tone  has  given  great  satisfaction, 
being  quite  the  pride  of  the  village,  and  it  rings  so  easily  that  a boy  can  manage 
it.  Having  had  occasion,  at  different  times  to  examine  a number  of  bells,  I take 
pleasure  in  giving  my  testimony  to  the  perfection  of  the  casting  and  finish. 

S.  C.  PRICHARD,  P.  M.,  Liverpool,  Ohio,  writes : The  bell  sent  by  you  to 
Tillatson  & Richmond  of  this  place,  is  how  hung,  and  gives  good  satisfaction. 
They  have  a bell  at  York,  eight  miles  from  here,  wt.  1200  lbs.,  made  by  your 
opponents ; we  would  not  exchange  even  with  them,  ours  weighing  778 
lbs.  Wt.  442  lbs.,  in  favor  of  your  bell.  We  want  another  of  500  lbs.,  if 
you  can  send  us  one  equally  as  good  in  proportion  to  the  one  sent  to  T.  & R. 

MR  S.  S.  HARMON,  Sonora,  California,  writes:  Enclosed  is  a draft  drawn 
on  Christopher  R.  Robert,  Treasurer  of  A.  H.  M.  Society,  which  will  be  paid  on 
sight. 

The  bell,  it  is  but  just  to  you  to  say,  is  indeed  a superior  one.  It  realizes  all 
the  good  things  you  said  of  it,  and  more  too.  Everybody  in  town  is  delighted 
with  it,  and  it  wakes  the  echoes  ot  these  mountains  for  four  or  five  miles  around. 
It  is  the  largest  and  best  toned  bell  in  all  the  mines  of  California.  Please 
acknowledge  receipt. 

JACOB  I1ECKUT  and  SIMON  WEST,  Millersburg,  Pa.,  write:  Enclosed  you 
will  find  a draft  in  your  favor  from  the  Ilarrisburgh  Bank  on  the  Am.  Exchange 
Bank,  New  York. 

We  received  the  bell  ; it  was  brought  to  our  place  before  we  expected  it,  and 
we  charged  you  with  freight  only  to  Harrisburgh.  We  think  our  bell  is  a very 
good  one ; every  one  is  pleased  with  the  sound  of  it,  and  it  is  pronounced  far 
superior  to  the  bell  in  our  place,  from  another  foundry. 

MR.  CHESTER  SANDERSON,  Ashfield,  Mass.,  writes:  The  bell  I purchased 
of  you  last  March,  and  gave  to  the  Second  Congregational  Society  in  Ashfield, 


36  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


Franklin  County,  Mass.,  exceeds  our  expectations  and  every  thing  of  the  kind  in 
this  vicinity.  It  has  frequently  been  asserted  by  disinterested  individuals,  that 
its  melody  and  sweetness  of  tone  is  superior  to  any  bell  they  ever  heard,  and 
that  its  equal  cannot  be  produced  in  the  county  of  Franklin. 

REV.  GEORGE  F.  MAGOUN,  Davenport,  Iowa,  writes  : The  bell  cast  by  you 
for  the  Davenport  Congregational  Church,  has  given  complete  satisfaction.  It 
has  now  been  in  use  a little  more  than  two  months,  and  though  only  raised  upon 
a temporary  tower  of  wood  in  the  rear  of  our  present  place  of  worship,  answers 
the  purpose  admirably.  The  tone  is  rich,  deep  and  mellow,  and  is  spoken  of  in 
terms  of  unqualified  praise,  not  only  by  our  own  people,  who  may  be  supposed  to 
be  partial  to  the  “ Sabbath  going  bell,”  whose  call  they  follow — but  by  citizens 
and  strangers.  When  it  is  permanently  placed  in  a more  suitable  and  better 
located  tower,  its  excellent  qualities  will  be  brought  out  still  better.  \\  e are 
more  than  satisfied  with  it ; there  is  but  one  voice  of  gratification  and  pleasure. 

[Wt.  2192  lbs.,  key  E flat.] 

MR.  E.  PERKINS,  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.,  writes:  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  say, 
that  the  Trustees  of  the  Baptist  Church  are  highly  pleased  with  the  bell  you 
sent  in  August  last,  and  are  recommending  your  bells  to  other  churches : and  the 
community  have  complimented  my  taste  in  selecting  bells.  Many  persons  who 
live  near  the  church,  had  objections  to  having  a bell  so  near  them,  but  since  it  is 
hung,  the  tone  is  so  sweet  and  mellow,  that  these  objections  are  all  removed,  and 
they  have  contributed  liberally  towards  paying  for  it.  1 think  the  Presbyterian 
Church  will  want  one  in  the  spring  ; they  will  want  one  weighing  about  1500  lbs. 

REV.  JOHN  C.  SMITH,  Washington  City,  D.  C.,  writes : It  affords  me  much 
pleasure  to  say,  that  the  bell  recently  purchased  from  Messrs.  Jones  A Company, 
of  Troy,  and  placed  in  the  bellry  of  the  Fourth  Presbyterian  Church,  is  of  very 
superior  tone  and  finish,  and  universally  admired  as  the  sweet  sounds  are  borne 
over  our  city.  The  bell  is  the  proof  that  they  are  workmen  that  need  not  be 
ashamed.  I will  be  gratified  to  learn  that  the  bells  from  the  same  foundry  are 
heard  all  over  our  land. 

P.  J.  BALTES,  R.  C.  P.,  Belleville,  111.,  writes : I am  happy  to  inform  you 
that  the  bells  which  you  sent  for  our  church  have  given  general  satisfaction. 
Their  workmanship  was  examined  by  mechanics  from  St.  Louis  and  Belleville, 
and  pronounced  superior  to  any  thing  of  the  kind  which  has  appeared  in  this 
part  of  the  country.  Their  vibrations  are  lasting  ; their  tone  solemn  and  pathetic, 
and  together  with  the  smaller  bell  which  we  already  possessed,  they  make  a very 
attractive  chime.  I think  you  will  shortly  have  occasion  to  send  some  pretty 
large  bells  to  St.  Louis.  I have  the  honor  of  being,  gentlemen,  your  very 
humble  and  ob’t  servant. 

REV.  R.  LANGLEY,  Sparta,  Wisconsin,  writes:  We  have  received  the  bell 
purchased  of  you  for  the  M.  E.  Church  in  Sparta,  and  take  pleasure  in  saying 
that  the  entire  community  are  delighted  with  its  clear,  rich  tone,  and  though 
weighing  but  938  lbs.,  it  is  distinctly  heard  for  five  or  six  miles,  and  1 would 
take  pleasure  in  recommending  your  bells  as  of  superior  cast, 

REV.  ROB'T  S.  HARRIS,  Keyport,  N.  J.,  writes:  As  regards  the  excellent 
bell  we  bought  of  you  last  fall,  weighing  1240  lbs.,  key  of  G.,  would  say  ; the 
more  we  use  it  the  better  we  like  it.  It  has  a sweet  musical  sound,  and  powerful 
vibration.  The  Baptist  clergyman  of  our  village,  (Rev.  Mr.  Slater,  formerly  of 
Rome,  N.  Y.,)  remarked  not  long  since  to  me,  that  our  bell  surpassed  all  of  its 
size  and  heft  he  had  ever  heard.  Our  people  are  highly  delighted  with  the  bell, 
and  would  not  part  with  it  upon  any  consideration. 

MR.  JACOB  G.  LAMBERT,  Rhinebeck,  N.  Y.,  writes:  We  received  our  bell 
on  the  21st,  and  hung  it  the  next  day,  in  good  order,  and  I write  to  assure  you 
that  we  are  fully  prepared  to  endorse  your  statement  that  it  is  A,  No.  1.  All  are 
satisfied  with  its  sweetness  of  tone  and  loftiness  of  vibration.  We  shall  take 
pleasure  in  recommending  your  house  for  the  manufacture  of  church  bells  of  a 
superior  quality. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  37 


MESSRS.  SPAUNHOKST  & CO.,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  writes:  Enclosed  we  hand 
you  draft  &c.,  $314.13  as  directed  by  our  Rev.  Jas.  Patschowski.  We  have  the 
bells  up  in  the  tower,  and  are  permitted  to  say  they  give  universal  satisfaction  so 
far,  and  will  do  credit  to  your  establishment,  and  no  doubt  you  will  find  some 
benefit,  ere  long,  in  the  demand  for  bells,  from  your  foundry,  in  this  city. 

MR.  J.  W.  WILLETT,  lrarmouth  Port,  writes:  That  bell  was  received  in 
duo  time,  and  at  once  put  in  its  place.  It  is,  in  all  respects,  perfectly  satisfactory. 

If  it  fulfills  what  it  now  promises,  we  shall  deem  ourselves  fortunate  in  that  we 
have  dealt  with  you.  Should  1 again  have  occasion  to  purchase  a bell,  1 shall 
certainly  apply  to  you. 

ELISHA  GREENE,  Esq.,  Pella,  Iowa,  writes  to  our  Agents : Messrs.  Tilling- 
hast,  Lane  & Bnel,  Agents  Troy  Bell  Foundry — Dear  Sirs — The  bell  purchased 
of  you,  and  cast  at  the  Troy  Bell  Foundry,  was  hung  in  the  cupola  of  our 
University  Edifice,  and  has  ever  since  been  in  daily  and  almost  hourly  use,  and 
it  has  given  the  most  perfect  satisfaction  in  every  respect.  It  is  regarded  by  all 
who  have  heard  it,  as  the  finest  toned  bell  in  this  part  of  the  State.  Its  hang- 
ings are  so  perfect  that,  although  its  weight  is  about  1000  pounds,  a child  can 
ring  it  with  perfect  ease.  Please  say  to  all  who  are  in  want  of  bells  that  we  re- 
gard those  of  Jones  & Company  as  altogether  unrivalled. 

MR.  WILLIAM  PACKARD,  Cummington,  Mass.,  writes : The  bell  purchased 
of  you,  after  two  or  three  weeks  trial,  gives  good  satisfaction,  and  the  Society 
are  all  greatly  pleased  with  its  rich,  beautiful,  sweet  and  musical  tone,  and  its 
prolonged  vibration.  We  send  balance,  &c. 

MR.  GEO.  NICHOLS,  Northfield,  Vt.,  writes  : The  bell  was  hung  on  Saturday 
after  I was  in  your  place,  and  now  its  clear,  silvery  tones  may  be  heard  for  miles 
around.  It  gives  good  satisfaction  to  our  people,  and  is  heard  further,  and  liked 
quite  as  well  as  the  other  bell  (from  Hooper’s  Foundry,)  which  weighs  200 
pounds  more. 

MR.  L.  F.  HITCHCOCK,  Kendall ville,  Ind.,  writes : The  bell  is  received,  and 
gives  universal  satisfaction. 

MR.  FRED.  A.  ROSS,  Huntsville.  Alabama,  writes:  Through  the  liberality  of 
a man  of  wealth,  this  Church  has  had  presented  to  it,  one  of  your  splendid  bells, 
2100  lbs.  Its  tone  is  very  fine,  key  E.  1 drop  this  line,  to  express  my  entire 
gratification  with  this  noble  work  of  your  science  in  bell  making. 

REV.  R.  S.  HARRIS,  Bridgeton,  N.  Jersey,  writes  : The  bell  I bought  of  you 
"when  stationed  at  Keyport,  increased  in  popularity  with  the  people.  A gentle- 
man from  Philadelphia,  on  a visit  to  Keyport,  says,  it  is  one  of  the  sweetest  toned 
bells  he  ever  heard. 

MR.  ELIJAH  SMITH,  Northfield,  writes:  The  bell  I purchased  of  you  for 
the  M.  E.  Church  in  this  place,  has  been  in  use  some  six  months,  and  its  rich 
tone  and  vibration  are  admired  by  all  our  citizens.  It  gives  universal  satisfaction. 
I think  it  one  of  the  best  toned  bells  of  its  size  I have  ever  seen. 

REV.  C.  LA  ROCQUE,  St.  John’s,  Canada  East,  writes:  I have  paid  the 
amount  due  you  for  the  bell,  to  Mr.  Evans,  your  Agent  at  Montreal.  I had  in  my 
mind  to  address  you  a few  lines,  to  give  you  an  account  of  the  bell,  which  in 
this  very  moment  I hear  ringing,  and  which  gives  both  to  myself  and  my  con- 
gregation a full  satisfaction.  Your  letter  affords  me  a very  favorable  occasion  so 
to  do,  and  for  this  reason  was  very  welcome,  as  it  was  to  me,  something  like  an 
order  not  to  delay  any  more  to  accomplish  my  intention. 

RT.  REV.  FREDERIC  BARAGA,  Bishop  of  Saut  Ste.  Marie,  Mich.,  writes: — 
Messrs.  Jones  & Co.,  Bell  Founders,  Troy,  N.  Y. — Sirs:  The  beautiful  bell  we 
purchased  at  your  establishment  last  Summer,  gives  us  great  satisfaction. 
When  we  first  heard  it,  we  were  quite  surprised  at  the  richness  and  sweetness  of 
its  tone,  and  its  length  of  vibration.  We  think  it  is  as  good,  if  not  better,  than 
any  bell  of  its  size  in  the  country. 


38 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


MESSRS.  C.  G.  BRODT  & HUGH  THOMPSON,  Knoxville,  Iowa,  writes  to 
Messrs.  Tillinghast,  Lane  & Buel,  Keokuk,  Iowa,  Agents  Troy  Bell  Foundry — 
Gentlemen: — We  lake  much  pleasure  in  recommend'ng  the  bell  purchased  for 
the  M.  E.  Church  of  our  town.  It  has  given  perfect  satisfaction,  and  we  can 
heartily  endorse  everything  which  has  been  said  in  approval  and  praise  of  the 
bells  manufactured  by  the  Troy  Bell  Foundry. 

REV.  T.  V.  PAP1NEAU,  St.  Barthelcmi,  Canada  E.,  writes:  I beg  you  to 
accept  my  excuses  for  not  having  answered  sooner  your  letter  of  the  15th,  of 
January,  received  during  my  absence,  insurmountable  difficulties  have  prevented 
us  from  sending  you  sooner,  the  price  of  the  bells,  but  1 am  happy  to  say  to  you, 
that  these  difficulties  have  since  been  entirely  removed,  and  by  the  12th  or  loth, 
we  shall  pay  you  in  full.  As  to  the  bells  that  you  have  sent  us,  they  are  the 
finest  that  I have  yet  seen,  and  their  harmonious  concord  could  not  be  excelled 
in  sweetness.  They  give  complete  satisfaction  to  all  my  panshoners.  and  the 
strangers  who  hear  them  Their  sound  can  be  heard  nine  miles  distant,  and 
the  favorable  time,  twelve  miles  distant.  Your  reputation  hereabouts  is  estab- 
lished advantageously  and  durably. 

MESSRS.  SOUTH  WORTH  & W ALLEY,  Williamstown,  Mass.,  write:  We 
received  the  bell  an  l bill  as  arranged,  and  enclose  draft  for  the  amount.  We  have 
a bell  large  enough  and  good  enough.  The  community  are  loud  in  its  praise.  If 
we  had  selected  for  ourselves,  we  should  not  have  done  as  well.  Call  and  see  us 
when  you  come  out  with  our  neighbors’  mammoth  bell. 

REV.  L.  K.  SECRIST,  Salona,  Penn.,  writes:  The  bell  furnished  our  new 
Church  at  Salona,  gives  entire  satisfaction,  and  receives  the  unqualified  praise  of 
all  who  hear  it.  Another  congregation  of  my  charg  want  a bell  of  t tie  same 
weight.  Can  you  furnish  it  soon,  and  at  what  price  ‘l  Please  answer  soon. 

RUFUS  HUBBARD,  Esq.,  Supt.  Public  Schools.  Keokuk,  Iowa,  writes:  The 
bell  purchased  at  your  foundry  tlir  >ugh  Messrs.  Tillinghast,  Lane  & Buel,  your 
Agents,  and  hung  in  the  tower  of  the  Public  School  House  of  our  city,  now  in 
use  over  a year,  is  admired  by  all  our  citizens.  It  gives  universal  satisfaction. 
Its  tone  is  soft,  clear  and  melodious,  and  can  be  heard  at  a great  distance.  It  is 
tny  opinion  that  it  is  not  surpassed  by  any  bell  in  this  section  of  the  country. 

MESSRS.  WESTCOTT  & PRAT,  East  Killingly,  Conn.,  write:  The  bell  is 
received,  and  now  in  the  tower  of  the  mill.  You  will  please  fine  check  for  the 
amount  enclosed,  and  we  will  call  on  you  again  when  we  want  in  your  line. 
We  have  much  the  nicest  bell  on  our  stream  of  1000  looms.  Its  tone  is  admired 
by  every  one,  and  we  cheerfully'  say  it  is  the  clearest,  most  sonorous  bell  in  town, 
and  are  very  much  pleased  with  it. 

MR.  E.  HARRIS,  Providence  R.  I.,  writes : The  bell  reached  its  destination 
last  evening,  and  its  introduction  gives  a very  favorable  impression  on  its  visitors. 
Its  shell  appears  to  be  full  of  music,  and  seems  in  haste  to  mingle  its  voice  in 
the  passing  elements. 

RT.  REV.  FREDERIC  BARAGA,  Bishop  of  Saut  Ste.,  Mich.,  writes  from  Cliff 
Mine:  The  bell  for  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thiele,  Eagle  Harbor,  Lake  Superior,  was 
received  some  three  weeks  ago.  It  gives  full  satisfaction.  They  hear  it 
plainly  five  or  six  miles,  although  it  is  small.  My  bel'  of  510  lbs  , at  Saut  Ste. 
Marie’  is  very  much  praised.  They  can  hear  it  distinctly  to  Garden  River,  which 
is  about  twelve  miles  from  Saut. 

MESSRS.  E.  T.  WALDRON  & JOSIAH  ROSS,  Bell  Committee,  Danvers  Port, 
writ-:  The  bell  you  cast  for  us,  has  been  raised  to  its  place  on  the  tower  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church,  and  we  can  truly  say  that  it  is  a great  improvement  ou 
the  old  one.  Its  power  has  been  tested,  and  as  far  as  we  can  learn  it  gives  entire 
satisfaction  to  all  who  were  instrumental  in  raising  the  means  for  its  purchase 
as  well  as  the  entire  community.  We  think  it  the  finest  toned  bell  we  have  ever 
heard,  and  can  cheerfully  recommend  the  bells  of  your  manufacture  to  any 
church  that  may  be  in  want.  Please  accept  our  good  wishes  for  your  success  in 
your  business. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


39 


MR.  IRA  BEARD,  Pittsfield,  Vt.,  writes  : Our  bell  Las  arrived,  and  was 
yesterday  raised  to  its  place  on  the  Church,  since  which,  its  sweet,  mellow  tones, 
have  been  almost  cnnstantly  vibrating  among  our  hills.  We  think  your  state- 
ment to  be  c irrect,  that  this  is  a superior  bell.  Every  one  is  speaking  in  its 
prais  •.  Even  those  who  could  not  be  pursuaded  to  take  any  interest  in  its  pur- 
chase, are  lou  I in  their  commendations  of  the  bell.  We  shall  ever  esteem  it  a 
pleasure  to  recommend  your  bells  to  others. 

II.  HILL,  Esq.,  Treasurer  Oberlin  College,  writes  : The  bell  has  arrived,  and 
is  now  in  its  place,  and  I believe  every  one  is  satisfied  with  its  tone,  and  with 
everything  about  it. 

MR.  L.  II.  SOVEREIGN,  Bristol.  Indiana,  writes  : The  bell  is  a good  one,  and 
gives  good  satisfaction.  Though  so  small  a bell,  (212  lbs.)  I have  heard  it 
distinctly  three  miles. 

MR.  0 M.  WOODWARD,  Agent  Aurora  Institute  and  Clark  Seminary,  Kane 
Co.,  111.,  writes  : Our  bell  reached  us  in  good  order,  except  a break  in  the  wheel. 
It  is  now  in  its  place,  and  we  are  very  much  pleased  with  it  indeed.  Its  tone  is 
beautiful,  and  vibration  long,  clear  and  distinct.  It  will  be  a real  favorite  in  our 
young  and  flourishing  city,  and  whoever  will  take  the  trouble  or  do  himself  the 
ph  asure  to  listen  to  th  ■ sweet  tones  of  our  Seminary  bell,  will  have  little  occa- 
si  in  to  go  elsewhere  to  purchase. 

Z.  PHILLIPS,  Agent  Troy  University,  Troy,  N.  Y.,  writes  : I have  great 
pleasure  in  assuring  you  that  the  bell  of  1,200  lbs.  weight,  furnished  by  you  to 
this  Instituti  >n,  and  now  sufficiently  tested,  is  regarded  by  all  as  one  of  rare  and 
unusual  excell  nee.  It  is  deep  toned,  full  and  sonorous,  with  powerful  and  long 
continued  vibration,  and  great  volume  of  sound,  excelling  in  musical  richness 
and  beauty  of  tone.  It  is  of  the  most  perfect  workmanship  and  finish,  and  in  all 
the  qualities  of  a good  bell,  cannot,  I believe,  be  surpassed. 

REV.  W W SNELL,  Rushford,  Minn.,  writes : The  bell  came  safely  to  hand, 
anil  was  rung  on  the  1st.  We  are  all  much  pleased  with  it.  Its  tone  is  very 
pleasant  and  clear.  It  has  been  heard  eight  miles. 

REV.  M.  A.  M.  WIRZFELD,  Pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  Church,  Elizabetliport, 
writes : Our  bell  was  put  in  the  spire  last  week,  and  I am  happy  to  say  that  it 
is  admired  b >th  by  Catholics  and  Protestants.  I shall  do  all  in  my  power  to 
recommend  your  establishment. 

MR.  C.  W.  CHURCHILL,  Le  Roy,  Pa  , writes:  The  bell  is  in  its  place,  and 
we  realize  all  that  we  anticipated  in  its  qualities.  There  is  but  one  expression, 
and  that  is,  all  are  entirely  satisfied.  The  bell  will  recommend  itself. 

REV.  SERGE  DE  STCHOULEPNIKOFF,  Pastor  of  St.  Mary's,  Dansville,  N. 
Y..  writes:  The  bell  you  sent  us  by  boat  arrived  here  safely  last  \Y ednesday 
night,  and  is  already  in  its  place.  It  is  a splendid  one,  and  was  heard  yesterday 
at  a distance  of  eight  miles.  Everybody  in  town  admires  its  material  and  sound, 
and  I feel  most  happy  that  it  was  my  good  luck  to  order  our  bell  from  your 
establishment. 

MR.  JOHN  E.  RIDER,  of  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  writes : The  bell  gives  great 
satisfaction.  Its  great  power,  and  beautiful  tone,  prove  you  to  be  masters  of 
your  business. 

MESSRS.  W.  GURLEY  & CLARK,  Bell  Committee  of  the  North  Baptist 
Church,  Troy,  N.  Y.,  write:  The  church  bell  purchased  from  you  for  the 

North  Baptist  Church,  has  been  in  use  for  several  weeks,  and  we  take  pleasure 
in  saying  that  the  favorable  estimate  of  its  qualities  entertained  by  the  committee 
at  the  time  of  its  purchase,  is  fully  justified  by  the  general  satisfaction  felt  with 
it  by  the  congregation.  In  a city  possessing  so  many  fine  toned  bells  as  ours, 
the  public  ear  is  educated,  and  a new  hell  is  so  closely  criticised,  that  a verdict  so 
favorable  is  peculiarly  gratifying  to  us,  aud  we  have  no  doubt  must  be  equally 
agreeable  to  you. 


V 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


40 


REV.  WALTER  CHAMBERLIN,  Perth  Amboy,  N.  J.,  writes  : You  will  un- 
doubtedly remember  my  visit  to  your  place  to  purchase  a bell  for  Frenchtown, 
which  gave  the  very  heat  of  satisfaction,  and  resulted  in  your  selling  another  one 
to  the  Baptist  Church.  We  are  trying  to  build  a church  in  Perth  Amboy,  and 
undoubtedly  will  want  a bell.  Please  send  us  your  circular. 

REV.  JAMES  LYNCH,  Pastor  St.  John’s  Catholic  Church,  Middletown,  Ct., 
writes:  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  bear  testimony  to  the  excellent  qualities  of  tte 
bell  you  have  erected  for  us.  It  realizes  all  our  expectations.  Its  tone  is  pleasing, 
and  as  powerful  as  could  be  expected  from  any  bell  of  its  weight.  Wishing  you 
ail  the  success  which  your  skill  as  beU  founders  and  your  honorable  business 
principles  merit,  I am  very  respectfully  yours. 


MR.  D.  B.  JUDSON,  Kingsboro’,  N.  Y.,  writes : The  bell  gives  general  satis- 
faction. 

REV.  PIERHE  BEAUDOIN,  Pastor  Notre  Dame  Catholic  Church,  Bourbonnois 
Grove,  111.,  writes  : It  is  with  the  greatest  pleasure  I send  you  the  price  of  a bell 
that  gives  us  so  much  satisfaction.  It  possesses  a sweet,  tenorious  tone,  and  is  1 
heard  a long  distance.  I am  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  transactions  which  you 
have  with  me. 

REV.  SAMUEL  DURBOROXV,  Pastor  Church  of  the  Evengelists,  Philadel- 
phia. Pa.,  writes : It  seems  right  and  proper  to  say  to  you  that  the  bell  which 
you  furnishe  for  the  Church  of  the  Evangelist  was  put  in  its  place  in  the  ti  wer 
last  week.  On  Easter  Sunday  morning  at  sun-rise  it  rung  out  its  sweet  tones, 
very  much  to  the  gratification  of  good  church  people,  but  rather  annoying  to  the 
slumberers  in  Zion.  We  are  very  much  pleased  with  the  bell.  It  seems  to  give 
universal  satisfaction.  I thank  you  personally  for  the  interest  you  took  in  get- 
ting us  so  good  an  instrument,  and  also  for  your  promptness  in  filling  the  order. 

REV.  SAMUEL  ADSIT,  Palmyra,  N.  Y.,  writes  : The  bell  is  all  that  could  be 
desired.  A perfect  charm.  The  more  I hear  it,  the  moie  1 admire  iis  rich, 
solemn  calls  to  devotion,  and  a higher  Christian  life.  I think  its  deep,  far-reach- 
ing tones  will  speak  lou  lly  in  its  praise  in  this  region. 

MR.  H.  H.  HEMENNAY,  Treasurer  St.  Luke's  Church,  Lansing,  Iowa,  writes : 

We  are  much  pleased  with  the  bell.  It  is  a fine  tone,  and  will  be  entirely  satis- 
factory. It  is  certainly  the  best  bell  in  Northern  Iowa. 

MR.  F.  R.  (fILBER !’,  Millersburgli,  Pa.,  writes:  We  received  the  bell  and 
have  put  it  in  the  steeple,  and  every  person  is  pleased  with  the  tone,  and  they  all 
with  one  accord  say  they  never  heard  a finer  toned  bell  any  where.  There  is 
quite  a contrast  between  this  and  our  Amalgam  bell  of  1000  lbs.  which  we  had, 
and  the  people  are  all  satisfied  the  Amalgam  bells  are  a humbug.  They  offered 
us  a big  price  to  take  another  Amalgam  bell,  but  our  people,  with  one  accord 
cried  “ A iCiiy  with  them,  we  have  had  enough." 

MR.  J.  HURD,  Charles  City,  Iowa,  writes  : The  bell  is  received.  It  is  a splen- 
did hell,  and  I feel  sure  will  give  entire  satisfaction  to  all. 

HEV.  E.  H.  BUHR,  Napierville,  111.,  writes:  The  bell  lias  been  rung  for  two 
Sundays,  and  gives  general  satisfaction.  Members  of  my  church  have  told  me 
they  heard  it  at  eight  (8)  miles  distant. 

REV.  W.  II.  E.  BULLOCK,  Bridgewater,  writes:  The  bell  has  given  great 
satisfaction.  Its  tone  is  all  we  could  wish  for.  Its  clear,  piercing  tone  is  just 
suited  for  the  situation  of  the  church,  surrounded  as  it  is  by  woods.  Your  estab- 
lishment shall  always  be  recommended  by  me. 

DR.  C.  T.  HARRIS,  Delavan,  Wis.,  writes:  The  bell  gives  universal  satisfac- 
tion : for  smoothness  and  beauty  of  tone  it  is  admitted  to  surpass  any  bell  with 
which  wc  are  acquainted  in  the  State.  In  short.,  we  are  thus  far  well  suited. 


TROY  HELL  FOUNDRY. 


41 


REV.  DR.  DUGACHET,  Rector  St  Stephen’s  Church,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  writes: 
No  bell  can  be  bi  tter  than  the  grand  chime  of  nine  which  you  made  for  St.  Ste- 
phen’s Church,  and  which  we  have  had  in  our  tower  more  than  eight  years  with 
undiminished  satisfaction.  I have  heard  many  English  and  Spanish  bells,  but 
none  surpassi  s yours.  We  have  three  chimes  in  this  city,  two  of  them  English, 
and  the  one  cast  by  you  ; the  former  do  not  compare  with  ours.  Besides  the 
chime  of  nine  at  our  church,  you  have  furnished  three  other  bells  on  my  order, 
every  one  ol  tli.  m perfectly  satisfactory.  The  larger  bell  lately  sent  by  you  for 
our  asylum  is  superb.  It  is  music  to  all  the  country  around  it.  I shall  certainly 
never  send  to  England  for  a bell  when  I can  get  one  from  your  firm. 

MU.  HENRY  FOWLER  AND  COMMITTEE,  Danversport,  Mass.,  write  : The 
bell  you  recast  for  us  gives  universal  satisfaction.  Its  tone  is  clear  and  musical, 
and  by  many  is  preferred  to  that  of  the  old  bell.  Citizens  living  in  other  parts 
i f the  town,  and  accustomed  to  hear  other  bells,  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that 
Jones  & Co.  have  furnished  the  best  bell  in  this  vicinity.  The  committee 
acknowledged  the  promptness  of  your  firm  in  this  as  well  as  your  lorm  r transac- 
tions with  them. 

MR.  CHAS.  LANGDON,  Castleton,  Vt.,  writes:  It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to 
acknowledge  your  courteousness  and  fidelity  in  executing  our  order.  Tbe  bell 
gives  universal  satisfaction.  It  has  been  heard  a distance  of  seven  miles  in 
quite  unfavorable  weather,  how  much  farther  I can  not  say.  But  wherever  it  is 
heard  it  will  speak  volumes  in  your  praise  through  its  sweet  and  cheerful  tones. 

MR  D.  W.  STICKWELL,  Aurora,  111.,  writes:  Your  bell  has  come  to  hand, 
and  hangs  to-day  in  the  belfry.  I think  it  a very  fine  bell,  and  it  will  give 
entire  satisfaction  to  every  one. 

REV.  S.  ORCUTT,  Patchogue,  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  writes  : Our  bell  is  admired 
by  all,  and  gives  great  satisfaction  in  tone  and  the  distance  it  is  heard.  I shall 
ever  favor  your  foundry. 

REV.  JAS.  HULR1S,  Milford,  C.  W.,  writes:  Our  bell  arrived  in  good  order. 
We  like  it  very  much.  It  has  been  heard  six  miles,  and  is  what  we  call  a good 
bell. 

REV.  THUS.  W.  FYLES,  Brome  Woods,  E.  T.  Canada,  writes:  The  bell 
reached  me  in  safety,  and  gives  satisfaction.  I am  much  obliged  for  your  punc- 
tuality. 

MR.  J.  E.  RIDER,  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  writes  (concerning  a fire  alarm  bell  for 
the  city  of  Portsmouth):  I have  delayed  writing  to  you  in  regard  to  the  bell,  for 
the  reason  I wish  to  have  a general  expression  on  the  part  of  our  citizens  in 
regard  to  the  tone  ot  the  bell.  It  has  been  rung  now  for  some  time,  and  I have 
never  heard  the  first  word  of  fault  found  with  it.  When  it  arrived  the  casting  was 
pronounced  very  xnperior  by  our  founders,  and  after  it  was  in  the  tower,  our 
i itizens  were  greatly  surprised  to  hear  its  great  volume  of  power,  and  the  vibra- 
tion was  splendid.  Its  tone  was  rich  and  clear,  and  taking  into  consideration  the 
prejudice  in  favor  of  Hooper’s  bells,  of  which  we  have  a number  in  this  city,  I 
ran  only  say  it  has  achieved  a great  victory.  No  one  seems  tired  of  hearing  it. 

I have  heard  many  bells  in  different  parts  of  Europe  and  this  country,  and  1 can 
i ssure  you  that  1 con-i  ler  the  tone  of  the  bell  we  had  of  you  lullv  equal  to  any 
< f the  old  English  bells,  some  of  which  are  considered  by  travelers  as  gems  of 
the  old  founders.  If  any  one  wishes  to  purchase  a bell  1 shall  certainly  advise 
them  to  go  to  Jones  &.  Co.,  and  if  any  more  of  our  bells  should  break  you  need 
have  no  fears  of  the  purchasers  going  any  where  else. 

MR.  GEO.  R.  AME'.  Mendota,  111.,  writes  : The  bell  came  to  us  in  good  order, 
and  is  now  hanging  in  the  tower  of  the  church.  Standing  in  the  midst  of  the 
great  prairies  of  Illinois,  its  sweet,  full  sounds  vibrate  through  the  distance  to 
the  satisfaction  of  all.  and  to  the  credit  of  Messrs.  Jones  & Co.,  Troy,  N.  Y. 

J.  C.  DEITZ,  Esq.,  Anamosa,  Iowa,  writes  : I think  the  bell  will  give  entire 
satisfaction. 


42 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


S.  S.  CADY,  Esq,,  Jamestown,  N.  Y.,  writes : I have  something  to  say  to 
express  the  perfect  satisfaction  the  bell  gives  to  all.  Not  a word  except  in  its 
praise  has  been  heard.  Its  tone  is  perfectly  pleasing  to  every  ear. 

REV.  E.  N.  BARTLETT,  Oberlin,  O.,  writes : I have  the  pleasure  of  inform- 
ing you  that  the  bell  furnished  by  you  for  the  Congregational  Church  at  Four 
Corners,  Huron  Co.,  Ohio,  has  been  received  and  placed  in  the  church  tower,  and 
its  musical  tones  give  very  general  satisfaction. 

MR.  0.  RICHARDSON,  Roxburv,  Vt.,  writes  : The  bell  you  sent  us  arrived 
all  right,  and  is  now  in  its  place,  and  I am  happy  to  say  it  gives  perfect  satisfac- 
tion. Every  one  speaks  in  its  praise. 

REV.  H.  C.  HUMPHREY,  Purdy’s  Station,  N.  Y.,  writes:  The  tone  gives 
the  highest  satisfaction.  I have  not  heard  of  a dissent  from  the  universal  praise 
accorded  to  it. 

WM.  S.  GRAY,  Esq.,  Windsor,  N.  C.,  writes:  The  bell  arrived  safely,  and 
has  been  put  into  the  ste  pie,  and  gives  general  satisfaction  to  all  the  members 
of  our  church.  I think  it  will  prove  the  best  in  town  every  way.  Thanking  you 
in  the  name  of  the  church  for  the  great  promptness  with  which  it  was  cast,  1 
remain,  &c. 

MR.  S.  P.  HALLECK,  Oriskany,  N.  Y.,  writes  : The  bell  I think  cannot 
be  beat. 

REV.  JAMES  T.  WILSON,  Miffinsburgh,  Pa.,  writes : The  bell  came  to  hand 
all  right,  and  was  hung  on  Wednesday,  and  renders  universal  satisfaction.  It  is 
a great  source  of  pleasure  to  the  congregation,  and  reflects  gieat  credit  upon  your 
establishment.  We  think  we  have  the  bent  bell  in  the  town.  We  are  under  many 
obligations  to  you,  &c. 

REV.  L.  MALON,  Elyria,  Ohio,  writes  : The  bell  has  arrived  safe.  It  gives 
satisfaction.  (See  later  letter  on  page  43.) 

JNO.  M.  BONHAM,  Esq.,  Franklin,  Pa.,  writes  : With  the  bell  on  our  church, 
now  hung  and  fully  tested,  we  are  all  as  well  pleased  as  can  be.  Its  tone  is 
pure,  distinct  and  smooth.  It  far  surpasses  any  bell  in  thin  community.  We  do 
not  doubt  it  will  be  the  means  of  bringing  you  several  new  ordeis  fivm  oilier 
churches  now  being  erected  here,  anil  pernaps  from  the  country. 

GEORGE  S.  BOND,  Esq  , Charlestown,  N.  II.,  writes  : The  bell  arrived  safe 
and  sound,  and  I think  it  will  please  us  very  much. 

MR.  J.  (1.  HOWARD,  Union  Ceutre,  N.  Y.,  writes:  The  bell  we  ordered  is 
received.  We  raised  it  into  the  tower  yesterday.  I believe  the  people  aie  well 
pleased  with  it.. 

REV.  A.  C.  MOREHOUSE,  Windham  Centre,  N.  Y.,  writes:  One  of  your 
bells  on  my  former  charge  is,  1 think,  one  of  the  best  1 have  ever  heard  for  the 
price  and  weight. 

REV.  A.  LCEHNER,  Blairstown,  Iowa,  writes:  1 got  a bell  of  your  firm  some 
years  ago,  it  is  the  best  bell  for  its  weight  1 ever  saw. 

REV.  G.  J.  DU  BOIS,  Big  Flatts,  N.  Y.,  writes:  Gentlemen,  permit  me  to 
congratulate  you  on  your  success  as  Hell  Makers,  and  on  your  promptness  and 
dispatch  as  business  men.  Your  fine  bell  and  mountings  reached  here  in  safety 
on  Wednesday.  Our  people  are  perlectly  delighted  with  the  bell,  and  all  who 
have  heard  it  pronounce  it  the  finest  toned  of  any  they  ever  heard. 

REV.  U.  ARCHAMBAULT,  St.  Bartheleme.  C.  E.,  to  our  Agent  in  Montreal, 
J.  H.  Evans,  Es<p,  writes  : The  Chime  of  Bells  furnished  by  you  for  my  church, 
and  made  by  Messrs.  Jones  & Co.,  Proprietors  of  the  Tr<>v  Bell  Foundry,  are 
without  excepi ion  the  finest  toned  bells  I ever  heard.  The  respi  dive  weights 
are  1991  lbs.,  1191  lbs.,  7o0  lbs.,  and  are  in  perfect  musi  al  accord,  and  the  bells 
as  a whole,  reflect  great  credit  on  Messrs.  Jones  & Co. 


TROT  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


43 


REV.  H.  S.  CARD,  North  Hector,  N.  Y.,  writes  : The  bell  you  sent  us  is 
received  in  good  order,  it  is  now  in  its  place,  and  the  people  are  much  pleased  i 
with  it. 

GEORGE  A.  GUERNSAY,  Esq.,  Susquehanna  Depot,  N.  Y.,  writes  : We  have 
the  bell  hung,  and  are  much  pleased  with  it.  The  tone,  &c.,  is  quite  satisfactory. 

REV.  J.  J.  LEWIS,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  writes:  The  bell  gives  very  good  satis- 
faction, and  has  been  highly  commended. 

J.  W.  MOORE  and  CHAS.  R.  PUL'l'Z,  Bell  Committee,  Rhinebeck,  N.  Y., 
write : The  bell  you  cast  for  us  has  been  raised  to  its  place  on  the  tower  of  the 
Third  Evangelist  Lutheran  Church  in  this  place,  its  powers  have  been  tested, 
and  as  far  as  we  learn  it  gives  entire  satisfaction  to  all  the  community  about 
Rhinebeck.  Please  accept  our  good  wishes  for  your  success  in  your  business,  &c. 

MR.  WM.  A.  ELDEN,  Bendersville,  Adams  Co.,  Pa  , writes : The  bell  you 
sent  us  is  an  excellent  one,  beautiful  in  tone,  it  has  been  heard  a distance  of  five 
miles  along  the  mountain,  and  will  reflect  credit  on  you  as  manufacturers.  Yours, 
with  many  greetings,  &c. 

C.  P.  WILLIAMS,  Esq.,  Shelburn,  Vt.,  writes:  The  bell  was  raised  to  belfry 
Monday'.  I call  it  a good  bell,  and  the  majority  like  it,  and  are  satisfied  with  it. 
Hoping  you  will  never  make  a worse  bell  than  ours,  I remain,  &c. 

MR.  N.  L.  BARKER,  Edinburgh,  N.  Y.,  writes  : The  bell  so  far  gives  univer- 
sal satisfaction. 

REV.  H.  RIEVERS,  Muskegon,  Mich  , writes  : Some  few  years  ago  I bought 
a bell  of  your  firm  when  I was  at  Grattan,  Mich.,  and  it  satisfied  all  who  had 
seen  and  heard  bells.  I want  another  for  this  place,  &c. 

C.  H.  HARDING,  Esq.,  Bradford,  Vt.,  writes  : The  bell  has  been  received,  and 
is  being  hung.  So  far  as  workmanship  is  concerned  it  gives  the  highest 
satisfaction. 

REV.  L.  MALON,  Elyria,  0.,  writes  : Our  bell  gives  general  satisfaction.  It 
is  the  best  sounding  bell  in  town. 

JOHN  WALSH,  Esq.,  Rouses'  Point,  N.  Y.,  writes:  We  have  received  our 
bell.  It  seems  to  give  general  satisfaction,  and  I am  glad  of  it,  &c. 

A.  M.  DICKEY,  Esq.,  Bradford,  Vt.,  vvriies:  Please  accept  my  thanks  for 
your  promptness  in  filling  my  order  for  bell.  I am  happy  to  inform  you  that 
the  society  are  perfectly  satisfied  with  its  tone  and  mechanism. 

JOHN  C.  THOMPSON,  Esq.,  Redfield,  N.  Y.,  writes:  We  have  now  fully 
tested  the  bell  which  you  furnished  us,  and  must  say  it  is  the  best  bell  we  ever 
heard  for  its  weight,  and  for  beauty  of  casting  surpasses  anything  we  know  of 
in  the  bell  line.  Its  surface  is  smooth  as  glass,  and  the  color  of  the  bell  indicates 
the  fact  that  only  the  best  and  purest  mater, als  have  been  used  in  its  composition. 
Wishing  you  every  success  which  your  strict  business  principles  merit,  I am,  Ac. 

REV.  T.  Q.  GAFFNEY,  East  Rutland,  Vt,.,  writes  : The  bell  and  invoice  were 
delivered  on  Monday.  I delayed  myr  acknowledgment  that  1 might  hear  it  ring 
from  the  place  set  up  for  it.  I have  now  the  pleasure  of  assuring  you  that  in 
clearness,  sweetness,  and  for  its  size,  fulness  of  sound,  it  more  than  realizes  my 
expectations  from  your  very  high  recommendations,  &c. 


44  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


Office  of  file  Old  Established  Troy  Bell  Foundry, 

As  an  evidence  of  superior  qualities  and  the  increasing  high 
estimation  in  which  our  Bells  are  held  by  eminent  Divines  and 
others,  we  take  pleasure  in  presenting  the  following  extracts  of 
commendatory  letters  which  have  been  received  since  October, 
1807.  Some  manufacturers  give  letters  purporting  to  have  been 
received  lately , but  do  not  date  the  letters. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  date  of  each  letter  is  given,  thus  show- 
ing that  they  are  all  received  during  the  time  specified,  and  we 
will  be  pleased  to  show  them  to  any  one  desiring  to  convince 
themselves  they  are  genuine  and  unsolicited. 

Rouses’  Point,  N.  Y.  October  17,  1867. 

Jones  & Co.,  Troy,  N.  Y. — Gents:  The  bell  made  by  your  firm  for  the  St. 
Patrick’s  Catholic  Church  in  this  place,  has  arrived  and  been  fully  tested,  and  we 
can  with  pleasure  say  it  is  the  best  Bell  of  its  size  we  have  ever  seen  or  heard 
There  is  not  a blemish  upon  its  smooth  surface,  and  the  casting  is  perfect.  For 
sweetness  of  tone,  length  of  vibration,  and  clearness  of  sound,  it  cannot  be 
excelled  by  any  Bell  of  its  size  ; and  parties  who  lavored  the  opposition  very 
strong  at  first,  have  not  a xcord  to  soy.  Our  people  are  delighted  with  it,  and  if 
any  more  Bells  are  wanted  in  this  vicinity  we  will  certainly  call  and  see  you. 
Wishing  you  all  the  success  which  your  prompt  business  principles  and  work- 
manship is  entitled  to,  1 remain,  &c. 

Yours,  respectfully,  JOHN  WALSH,  Sec’y. 

Dunkirk,  N.  Y.,  October  21,  1867. 

Dear  Sirs-:  Please  fine  enclosed  the  draft  for  the  payment  of  the  Bell  you 
sent  me  last  month.  The  Bell  is  good,  and  whenever  I may  have  a chance  to 
purchase  Bells  I shall  yet  them  from  your  Foundry. 

I remain  yours  truly,  GUIDO  MATASSI,  P. 

Lansingburgh,  October  25,  1867. 

Messrs.  Jone<  & Co. — Gentlemen:  It  affords  me  pleasure  to  inform  you 
that  the  Peal  of  Bells  which  you  recently  hung  in  the  tower  of  St.  Augustine’s 
Church,  are  giving  general  satisfaction.  The  congregation,  and  in  fact  all  who 
hear  them,  express  themselves  highly  pleased  with  their  silvery  tone.  The 
admirable  manner,  too,  in  which  they  are  hung,  deserves  commendation.  In 
course  of  time  I h >pe  to  have  the  pleasure  of  ordering  six  more  bells,  to  complete 
the  Chime,  fr  in  vour  establishment. 

(Very  Rev.)  THOS.  GALBERRY,  0.  S.  A. 

Pastor  of  St.  Augustine's  Church. 


TKOY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


45 


Convent  Sacked  Heart,  Kenwood,  1 
Albany,  N.  Y.  J 

1 take  the  liberty  of  commending  the  Messrs.  Jones  & Co.,  of  Troy,  as  Bell 
Founders,  who  are  artists  of  great  experience  in  their  business.  And  in  giving 
this  recommendation  I am  sustained  by  the  favorable  opinion  of  the  pastors  in 
their  vicinity.  Indee  I,  the  Messrs.  Jones  & Co.  are  pleasing  and  agreeable  in 
their  manner  of  doing  business,  and  all  who  entrust  them  with  their  orders  will 
be  thoroughly  satisfied. 

October  ‘Jo,  1807.  THOMAS  WALSH,  Chaplain. 

Holyoke,  Mass  , November  26,  1867. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — dents : The  Bell  cast  by  you  for  the  2d  Baptist  Church 
in  this  town,  was  duly  received,  with  mountings  for  the  same.  We  have  tried  it 
for  several  weeks  past,  and  I am  happy  to  say  we  are  much  pleased  with  it.  The 
castings  are  smooth,  and  have  a workmanlike  finish.  The  tone  of  the  Bell  is 
very  sweet  and  musical ; 1 think  it  the  best  toned  Bell  that  1 ever  heard.  Its 
weight  is  three  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-five  pounds,  and  it  has  been 
heard  very  distinctly  at  a distance  of  ten  miles. 

I am,  very  respectfully,  &c.,  PORTER  UNDERWOOD. 

St.  Mary's  Church,  Muskegon,  Mich.,  \ 

November  26,  1867.  J 

Dear  Sirs  : I am  happy  to  inform  you  that  the  Bell  bought  of  your  famous 
firm  gives  full  satisfaction  to  my  congregation,  and  the  whole  city.  All  admire 
its  sweet,  clear,  and  fine  tone. 

REV.  H.  REIVERS,  Pastor  St.  Mary’s. 

Sugar  Grove,  Pa.,  December  2,  1867. 

Gents:  The  Bell  I purchased  of  you  on  the  13th  of  November,  for  the  1st 
Congregational  Society  in  this  town,  was  received  in  good  condition  a few  days 
afterwards  It  is  now  in  the  tower  of  the  meeiing-house,  and  was  rung  last  Sab-  j j 
bath  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  parties  interested  in  its  purchase.  Its  tone  is  clear, 
its  vibration  long  and  distinct.  There  is  also  melody  in  it.  Music  good  enough 
for  anybody  to  walk  to  church  with.  I subscribe  myseif. 

Yours,  &e,  D.  T.  GEAR. 

Windham  Centre,  N.  Y.,  December  2,  1867. 

Jones  & Co. — Sirs  : We  have  received  the  Bell,  and  in  good  order.  Much 
obliged  for  your  promptness.  The  Bell  is  fine,  and  has  been  heard  eight  (8) 
miles  in  different  directions. 

Yours,  &c.,  A.  C.  MOREHOUSE,  Pastor. 

Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  December  10,  1867. 

Dear  Sirs  : I was  in  the  Mission  at  Colosse  last  Sunday.  The  whole  congre- 
gation is  very  conteuted  with  the  new  Bell  procured  at  your  Foundry  ; and  I beg 
to  acknowledge  my  entire  satisfaction. 

(Very  Rev.)  F.  DEHM,  C.  G.  O.  M.  C. 

Clinton,  Wis.,  December  11,  1867. 

W.  Irving  Hartshorn,  Esq.  writes : The  tone  of  the  Bell  sent  the  22d,  is 
rich,  full  and  melodious,  with  long  vibrations.  It  has  the  genuine  ring  ; we  think 
it  one  of  the  very  best  bells  of  its  size  in  the  West. 

Lisle,  N.  Y.,  December  13,  1867. 

Messrs.  Glezen  & Livermore,  write : The  Bell  arrived  all  right,  and  gives 
good  satisfaction. 

Sawyersville,  P.  Q.,  Canada,  Dec.  17,  1867. 

Rev.  A.  Gillies,  writes : The  Bell  has  just  been  received  and  this  day  put  in 
place.  It  satisfies  all  parties. 


46  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


Woodstock,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  26,  1867. 

Jokes  & Co. — Gents  : Enclosed  please  find  amount  of  the  Bell  for  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  in  this  place.  We  have  the  Bell  rung  and  it  gives  good 
satisfaction.  It  answers  your  recommend  and  our  expectations. 

Yours,  &c.,  ESLEY  SHULTIS,  Rec.  Sec. 

Wilmington,  Del.,  December  30,  1867. 

Joseph  Bickta,  Esq.,  Trustee  for  St.  Peter’s  Church,  writes  : From  what  may 
be  judged  so  far  we  are  more  than  pleased. 

Stone  Ridge,  N.  Y.,  December  30,  1867. 

Rev.  Chas.  Palmer,  writes : The  new  Bell  is  a good  one.  I believe  all  are 
pleased  with  it.  • 

“The  Christian  Chdrch,’’  Newark,  N.  J.,  Jan.  4,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. : The  Bell  you  cast  for  us.  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
Devinnv,  is  all  that  we  could  wish.  It  lias  a rich,  full  tone,  that  lingers  in  the 
air  as  if  loth  to  depart.  We  prefer  it  to  the  “Opposition”  Bells,  of  which  there 
are  three  or  four  in  this  place.  The  reverberation  of  one  stroke  of  your  Bell 
remain  while  they  are  making  three  strokes  on  a Bell  of  about  the  same  weight 
as  ours.  You  may  refer  any  one  desirous  of  purchasing  a Bell  to  us,  and  be  sure 
of  a hearty  recommend. 

Yours,  truly,  GEO.  E.  SHELDON,  1 

G.  W.  DANIELS.  [ Trustees. 

D.  W.  LOVEJOY.  ) 

Archibald,  Luz.  Co  , Pa.,  January  15,  1868. 

Jones  & Co. — Gentlemen  : I wish  to  inform  you  that  the  last  Bell  sent  us 
gives  general  satisfaction,  and  wish  you  all  the  success,  which  1 am  certain  your 
experience  as  manufacturers  and  gentlemanly  treatment  of  customers  must 
necessarily  secure  for  you.  I am  gentlemen,  respectfully,  &c  , 

Yours,  J.  LOUGHRAN,  Pastor. 

Sergeantsville,  N.  J.,  January  22,  1868. 

Rev.  R.  Thomas,  writes  : The  congregation  is  much  pleased  with  the  Bell. 

Freeport,  111.,  January  28,  1868. 

Rev.  F.  A.  Read,  writes : The  citizens  were  taken  by  surprise  when  the  Bell 
was  first  rung.  It  please!  all.  It  is  larger  than  any  Bell  in  the  city.  The  pro- 
longation of  sound  or  tone  is  splendid.  It  was  heard  six  miles  very  distinct  the 
first  time  rung.  The  remark  of  one  of  our  papers  was,  “that  the  Bell  was 
far  superior  to  anything  of  the  kind  ever  heard  in  this  city.”  The  church  are 
well  pleased. 

Peru,  N.  Y.,  March  24,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents  : You  have  our  thanks  for  your  indulgence. 
We  have  a splendid  Bell.  Our  people  are  well  pleased  with  it. 

Yours,  truly,  H.  F.  MARTIN. 

Berlin,  Holmes  Co.,  O.,  March  20,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents  : The  Bell  arrived  safe,  and  was  placed  in  the 
tower.  It  proves  entirely  satisfactory. 

By  order  of  the  Trustees.  GEORGE  A.  BLACK,  Sexton. 

Millersburgh,  O.,  April  6,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents  : We  are  highly  pleased  with  the  Bell  and  for 
the  expeditious  manner  in  which  you  have  filled  our  ord<u\  and  for  your  honora- 
ble and  gentlemanly  conduct  in  the  matter  you  have  our  hearty  thanks. 

Yours,  truly,  T.  C.  WARNER,  Pastor  M.  E.  Church. 


TROY  HELL  FOUNDRY. 


47 


South  Ackworth,  N.  H.,  May  18,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents  : We  received  the  Bell  all  right  last  Saturday 
and  safely  raised  it  to  its  place  in  one  hour  from  its  arrival.  The  people  are  all 
delighted  with  its  tone.  It  is  real  music  to  hear  it  ring,  and  can  be  heard  three 
miles  from  here,  anu  on  a favorable  day  much  farther.  We  feel  very  grateful 
for  your  promptness  and  dispatch  in  furnishing  the  Bell. 

Respectfully,  J.  A.  WOOD. 

Unionville,  N.  Y.,  May  15,  1868. 

M essrs.  Jones  & Co. — Dear  Sirs:  The  new  Bell  from  your  Foundry,  came  to 
hand  all  right  and  is  now  hanging  in  our  Belfry.  So  far  as  tested,  its  tone  is 
entirely  satisfactory.  With  many  thanks  for  the  uniform  courtesy  and  scrupulous 
regard  to  honor  which  you  have  shown  in  all  our  dealings,  I assure  you  we  shall 
take  pleasure  in  recommending  your  firm  to  all  who  may  want  to  purchase  Bells. 

Yours  truly,  LEWIS  TUTHILL. 

Kiantone,  N.  Y.,  May  4,  1868. 

Messrs  Jones  & Co. — Gents:  The  bell  you  sent  us  was  some  time  on  the 
way.  It  is  now  in  the  Belfry  in  use.  The  Bell  is  what  we  desired.  The  casting 
perfect,  the  tone  faultless  the  vibration  long  and  clear.  All  are  pleased. 

Yours  truly,  M.  A.  HALLOCK. 

Ovid,  Mich.,  May  14,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents  : I have  great  pleasure  in  stating  that  the  Bell 
purchased  of  you  gives  general  satisfaction.  For  richness  of  tone,  long  vibration 
and  sweet  musical  sound  it  cannot  be  surpassed. 

Yours  very  truly,  W.  H.  FAXTON. 

Pemberton,  N.  J.,  June  15,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co  — Gents  : We  have  succeeded  in  bringingout  the  qualities 
of  the  Bell  to  admiration.  It  is  heard  six  miles  in  ordinary  times,  under  very 
favorable  circumstances  it  has  been  heard  ti  n miles.  That  we  think  good  enough. 

Yours,  &c„  WILLIAM  MALSBURY. 

Crown  Point  Centre,  June  22,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents  : The  Bell  is  hung  and  rings  finely.  In  clear- 
ness of  tone  and  distance  heard  it  excels  our  anticipations,  being  heard  five  or 
six  miles  over  our  hilly  country,  although  located  in  a deep  and  narrow  ravine  ; 
our  people  are  all  well  pleased  with  the  Bell.  Wishing  you  success  in  your 
business,  I am,  Yours,  &c.,  M.  FULLER. 

Hubbardston,  Mich.,  August  29,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents  : The  Bell  for  the  M.  E.  Church  of  this  village 
arrived  in  good  order,  and  it  has  been  placed  in  the  tower  of  the  church,  and  the 
people  are  well  pleased  with  its  tones  and  mechanism.  We  only  regret  we  did 
not  get  one  much  heavier. 

Yours  truly,  N.  F.  ROGERS. 

Rondout,  N.  Y.,  August  13,  1868. 

Messrs.  .Jones  & Co. — Dear  Sirs  : Our  Bell  is  a town  talk  here.  Friends  and 
strangers  are  delighted  with  its  tone. 

Yours,  &c.,  WM.  M.  CHIPP,  Pastor. 

Montpelier,  September  23,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents  : The  Bell  gives  excellent  satisfaction,  and  will 
be  a credit  to  your  firm. 


Yours  truly, 


A.  G.  BUTLER. 


48 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


Bristol,  R.  I.,  October  14,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Go. — Gents : If  anybody  in  this  section  wishes  to  know 
what  s 'rt  of  a Bell  you  make,  send  them  here.  Onrs  is  a beauty.  I have  not 
heard  th  it  any  one  has  worshiped  it  yet;  but  everybody  is  very  much  pleased 
with  it  To  say  it  is  universally  admitted  to  be  the  best  Bell  in  town,  is  only 
negative  commendation.  I have  yet  to  see  or  hear  of  the  first  person  who  is  hot 
satisfied  with  it.  And  I might  truthfully  use  stronger  language.  I write  this 
because  I know  you  will  wish  to  hear  how  it  goes  after  a trial. 

Truly  yours,  D.  A.  WHEDON,  Pastor. 

Pawling,  N.  Y.,  October  22,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents  : The  Bell  came  to  hand  safely,  and  pleased  all 
who  saw  it.  We  raised  it  yesterday  without  accident  or  difficulty.  The  tone 
appears  to  be  excellent,  and  I think  it  will  g've  very  general  satisfaction. 

Yours,  most  respectfully,  J.  W.  MACOMBER. 


Sagetown,  Henderson  Co.,  III.,  October,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Dear  Sirs:  Enclosed  please  find  remittance  for  the 
excellent  Bell  which  you  sent  us.  It  came  in  good  order,  and  is  now  placed  in 
the  tower  “To  warn  the  living,”  and  "toll  for  tne  dead.’’  Its  clear,  sweet  tones 
broke  into  the  monotony  of  onr  valley  town  on  the  past  Sabbath,  and  many 
strange  fae  -s  were  found  in  church.  I have  heard  nothing,  thus  far,  but  praise 
of  tone  and  beauty  of  finish.  I hope  this  will  be  the  means  of  introducing  the 
firm  of  Jones  & Co  to  Henderson,  and  all  the  adjoining  counties.  Every  ctiurch 
should  have  one  of  your  Bells. 

Yours  truly,  in  behalf  of  the  1st  Presbyterian  Church  and  community. 

M.  KIERY,  Pastor. 

Starksboro,  Vt.,  October  5,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — The  Bell  anJ  fixtures  came  in  good  order.  On  the  1st 
inst.  the  Bell  was  presented  to  the  church.  After  a few  appropriate  remarks  the 
motion  was  male  and  expressed,  that  the  donor  first  ring  the  Bell.  The 
wishes  of  the  people  were  then  gratified  by  the  rich  sound  produced  by  their 
beautiful  Bell,  and  we  are  all  much  pleased  with  it.  Please  accept  the  best 
wishes  of, 

Yours  truly,  BENJ.  L.  KNIGHT. 

Boston,  Mass.,  October  22,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents:  The  tone  of  the  Bell  is  very  much  like  i. 

Yours  truly,  C.  8.  DAVIS. 


Sooth  Royalton,  Vt.,  October  20,  1868. 
Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents  : We  have  been  waiting  to  see  how  the  pe  p e 
like  the  Bell,  and  find  it  gives  universal  satisfaction.  It  is  a splendid  toned  Bell. 
Will  write  farther  in  a few  days.  (See  page  49.) 

Yours  truly,  M.  S.  ADAMS’. 


Memphis,  N.  Y.,  November  26,  1868. 

Messrs,  Jones  & Co. — Gents:  The  Bell  has  arrived,  a d been  hung.  It 
gives  general  satisfaction  ; has  a beautiful  vibration,  and  is  musical  in  its  tone. 
Receive  our  thanks. 

Yours  respectfully,  Eld.  A.  J.  WELTON. 


Valparaiso,  Ind.,  November  28,  1868 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co.  -Gents  : The  Bell  was  received,  and  with  little  unavoid- 
able delay  was  put  into  the  tower.  It  gives  satisfaction  in  all  respects. 

Yours,  &c.,  THOS.  B.  WOOD. 


Noank,  Ct.,  November  5.  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents  ; Our  Bell,  which  you  hung  for  us  about  one 
year  age,  gives  good  satslaction  to  all  of  us.  Its  fine  tone  and  long  vibration 
attracts  as  much  attention  now  as  when  first  hung. 

Yours,  &c.,  H.  V.  JONES,  Pastor. 


TROY  HELL  FOUNDRY. 


49 


n 


Stakksboho,  Vt.,  November  18,  1808. 

Messrs.  Junes  & Co. — Gents  : Our  Bell  came  to  hand  last  week,  and  we  have 
got  it  raised  to  its  |>lacb  in  the  tower.  It  gives  good  satisfaction,  and  every  one 
speaks  in  its  praise. 

Yours  truly,  O.  D.  BALDWIN. 

Cranberry,  N.  J.,  November  3,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Dear  Sirs  : l sit  down  this  morning  to  return  you  a 
vote  of  thanks  for  sending  us  so  promptly  the  best  Bell  I ever  remember  to  have 
heard.  The  Bell  arrived  on  Thursday,  the  28th  of  October,  and  was  raised  to  its 
proper  position  in  our  new  tower  the  following  day  and  rung  for  half  an  hour  to 
the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  town  and  country  for  miles  around,  and  some  are  in 
ecstaeies  over  it.  It  has  a very  clear,  rich  tone,  with  long  vibrations.  It  is  a 
complete  success.  It  is  said  to  be  the  best  bell  in  town,  and  it  is  thought  by 
some  that  it  cau  be  In  ard  at  a greater  distance  than  the  Heightstown  Bell,  which 
weighs  300(1  pounds,  and  the  weight  of  our  Bell  is  only  1063. 

Yours  most  respectfully,  J.  H STOCKTON,  Pastor. 

Magog,  Quebec,  November  8,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Dear  Sirs  : I have  the  pleasure  to  announce  that  the 
Bell  we  bought  from  you  has  safely  arrived,  and  it  seems  to  prove  satisfactory  to 
all  the  congregation.  I remain, 

Y'our  ob’t  servant,  Rev.  F.  Z.  MONDORS. 

P uus,  Ontario,  November  2,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Dear  Sirs:  The  Bell  arrived  here  on  the  20th,  and 
shortly  after  we  got  it  into  the  Bell  fry.  We  are  well  pleased  with  the  Bell ; the 
tone  is  full  and  clear,  and  the  vibration  prolonged,  and  for  its  size,  we  think  it  a 
good  one.  Yours  very  truly,  JAMES  ROBERTSON, 

Minister,  River  St.  Presbyterian  Church. 

Royalton,  Vt.,  December  14,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gentlemen  : The  Bell  gives  good  satisfaction.  It  has 
a sweet  mellow  tone,  and  is  quite  as  powerful  as  we  could  expect  considering  its 
weight.  With  many  thanks  for  your  promptness  and  courtesy,  I remain, 

Very  truly  yours,  HENRY  H.  DENNISON. 

Norfolk,  N.  Y.,  December  22,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co.— Gents  : We  are  grateful  to  you  for  kindness  in  sending 
us  such  a good  Bell,  which  we  feel  proud  of. 

S.  F.  DANFORTH. 

Hartland,  Lewiston  Co.,  Mich.,  December  31,  1868. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gents  : I have  delayed  writing  about  the  Bell  for  the 
First  Congregational  Church  until  now,  that  I might  hear  it  ring  from  its  per- 
manent resting  place.  For  one  of  its  weight  (835  lbs.,)  I now  have  the  pleasure 
of  saying,  that  in  clearness,  sweetness  and  fullness  of  sound,  it  more  than  meets 
the  expectations  of  all.  Please  accept  the  good  wishes  of  the  donators  to  this 
enterprise.  The  manufacturers  of  such  kind  of  Bells  as  ours  may  be  assured  of 
success  in  so  doing. 

Respectfully,  HENRY'  P.  CROUSE. 

South  Royalton,  Vt.,  Jan.  4.  1869. 

M.  S.  ADAMS  and  others,  write : The  Hell  you  made  for  us  weighing  1040 
pounds,  we  have  had  in  our  tower  for  three  months  ; it  is  the  sweetest  and  best 
toned  Bell  we  ever  saw.  We  do  not  lies  tate  in  saying  that  we  think  it  is  the 
best  Bell  in  this  State  for  its  size.  It  is  spoken  very  highly  of  by  every  one,  and 
does  much  credit  to  you  as  manufacturers.  We  cheerfully  recommend  your  bells 
to  any  one  wishing  to  purchase  a bell. 

7 


50  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


East  Saginaw,  Mich.,  Jan.  4,  1869. 

REV.  H.  L.  MOREHOUSE  writes:  The  new  bell  reached  here  about  a week 
ago  ; it  is  very  generally  liked,  and  gives  good  satisfaction.  I like  it  very  much, 
at  a distance  as  well  as  near  by  ; we  are  well  pleased  with  it,  and  obliged  to  you 
for  the  gentlemanly  treatment  we  have  received  from  you. 

Madrid,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  5,  1869. 

MR.  VVM.  L.  READ  writes:  The  bell  I bought  of  you  for  the  First  M.  E. 
Church,  weighing  1045  lbs.,  is  more  than  a success  ; the  soft,  pleasant  tone,  and 
long  vibration  pleases  all,  every  thing  said  in  its  praise,  and  nothing  has  been 
heard  against  it.  It  has  been  heard  seven  (7)  miles  ; also  the  school  bell  weighing 
108  pounds,  gives  entire  satisfaction.  They  are  nut  able  to  keep  the  sound  thereof 
within  the  bounds  of  the  district , which  bounds  are  large  in  this  county. 

Amherst,  Mass.,  Jan.  6,  1869. 

MR.  O.  D.  HUNT  writes : The  2300  pounds  bell  sent  us  is  a splendid  one, 
and  is  improving  every  day  in  purity  and  sweetness  of  tone.  The  only  bad  tone 
it  has  is  when  the  clapper  strikes  on  the  unpaid  side,  but  we  will  remedy  that 
by  one  turn  more  with  the  wrench. 

New  York,  Jan.  15,  1869. 

MORRIS  A.  TYNG,  Esq.,  writes  : The  bell  gives  universal  satisfaction,  every 
one  expressing  surprise  at  its  power  for  so  small  a bell. 

Indsor,  Ohio,  Jan.  21,  1869. 

MR  C.  E.  NORRIS  writes  : I do  not  know  of  a single  question,  on  which  the 
people  of  this  town  are  so  united  as  in  praising  our  bell. 

Christ  Church  Rectory,  Bay  Ridge,  L.  I , Feb.  9,  1869. 

REV.  J.  A.  ASPINWALL  writes  : The  bell  arrived  in  very  good  time,  and 
was  fixed  in  our  tower  at  12  minutes  before  twelve  on  Saturday.  We  struck  it 
at  mid-day  ; the  tone  is  magnificent,  solemn  and  sweet,  the  vibrations  are  pro- 
longed, and  it  gives  perfect  satisfaction.  Permit  me  to  thank  you  for  the  dis- 
patch with  which  you  executed  our  order;  the  business-like  manner  with  which 
you  attended  to  and  accomplished  this  quick  work  is  as  creditable  to  you.  as  is 
the  workmanship  and  quality  of  the  bell,  aud  these  two  things  taken  together, 
constitute  all  that  can  be  asked  for  in  your  department  of  labor. 

Old  Town,  Me.,  Feb.  18,  1869. 

REV.  NATHANIEL  BUTLER  writes  : The  bell  is  a very  fine  one,  and  proves 
to  be  one  of  the  best  in  this  country. 

Worcester,  Vt.,  February  15,  1869. 

C.  C.  ABBOTT,  Esq.,  P.  M.,  writes  : We  received  the  bell  and  hangings,  all 
in  good  order,  on  the  12th.  We  raised  it  to  the  belfry  on  Saturday,  and  have 
heard  it  ring  Sabbath  day,  and,  as  far  as  1 have  heard  expressions  in  regard  to  it 
it  has  been  unanimously  pronounced  very  good.  Thanking  you  for  your  prompt- 
ness in  your  deal  with  me,  1 will  speak  a good  word  for  your  Company  whenever 
I have  the  opportunity. 

New  York,  Feb.  9,  1869. 

J.  A.  PERRY,  Esq.,  writes:  The  bell  which  the  Reverend  J.  A.  Aspinwall 
ordered  for  Christ  Church,  Bay  Ridge,  was  duly  received,  and  was  rung  for  the 
first  time  on  Sunday,  the  7th  instant.  It  is  universally  admired  for  the  beauty  of 
: i’-e  casting,  its  musical  tone,  and  for  the  remarkable  prolongation  and  singing 
,uality  of  its  tone.  But  of  this  Mr.  Aspinwall  will  write  you  more  fully.  (See 
letter  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Aspinwall.) 

New  Hanover,  Pa„  Feb.  16,  1869. 

MR.  F.  BRENDLINGER  writes:  The  bell  has  arrived  and  put  into  the 
steeple,  and,  so  far,  seems  to  give  general  satisfaction.  1 think  it  is  a good  one, 
and  will  write  more  about  it  hereafter  if  desired.  Yours,  &c. 

Santee  Agency,  Neb.,  March  30,  1869. 

REV.  S.  D.  HINMAN  writes  : The  bell  came  here  in  September  last,  and  was 
hung  in  our  tower.  It  is  of  clear,  sweet  tone,  and  can  be  heard  eight  miles  in  a 
clear  day.  Yours,  &c. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


51 


Springville,  Erie  Co.,  N.  Y.,  March  23,  1869. 

R.  C.  EATON,  Esq.,  writes  : The  new  bell,  with  its  mountings,  reached  us  in 
safety  Saturday,  13th  inst.  The  bell  is  a good  one,  and  1 think  will  prove  satis- 
factory, &c.  The  new  bell  is  for  the  Baptist  Church,  which  I have  procured  at 
my  own  expense,  and  if  I live  seventeen  days  longer  1 shall  be  73  years  old. 
Yours,  &c. 

Sodus,  YVayne  Co.,  N.  Y.,  March  1,  1869. 

MR.  GEOROE  MIDDLETON  writes:  The  bell  I ordered  of  you  for  the 
Centennary  M.  E.  Church  came  to  hand,  in  due  time,  all  safe.  The  bell  has 
given  great  satisfaction  ; its  tone  is  all  we  could  wish  for — soft,  clear,  and  melo- 
dious, and  can  be  heard  at  a great  distance.  I believe  every  one  is  satisfied.  We 
have  an  opposition  bell  here  which  is  claimed  to  be  one  of  the  best  in  the  State. 
Every  one  admits  that  the  tone  of  ours  is  as  good,  and  can  be  heard  farther  than 
that. 

Waoseon,  Ohio,  March  6,  1869. 

J.  Q.  RIDDLE,  Esq.,  writes  : I have  delayed  writing  you  until  now  in  order 
to  ascertain,  if  I could,  whether  the  citizens  and  congregation  were  satisfied  with 
the  bell.  It  is  conceded  to  be  a better  bell  than  the  one  recently  purchased  at 
Cincinnati  for  another  church  in  this  place. 

St.  George’s  Chdrch,  Lee,  Mass.,  March  15,  1869. 

REV.  WM.  C.  WINSLOW  writes:  The  bell  has  very  rich,  sonorous,  musical 
notes.  It  makes  a prolonged  sound  that  is  remarkable,  indicating  the  great 
purity  of  the  composition.  It  is  a powerf  ul  bell,  having  a range  of  miles  for  its 
tones,  and  yet  it  is  perfectly  agreeable  to  those  living  within  a quarter  of  a mile 
of  the  church.  It  fills  the  air  with  delicious  music.  It  is  a real  pleasure  to  hear 
such  a pure  toned,  sweet  voiced  bell.  These  are  the  sentiments  of  our  people, 
and,  indeed,  of  the  community.  Congratulations  pour  in  from  all  sides.  Many 
say  it  is  the  best  bell  they  ever  heard,  and  within  hearing  of  it  are  eight  or  ten 
other  bells.  Your  great  bell  on  the  Congregational  tower  (made  ten  years  ago) 
is  a very  fine  and  powerful  one.  The  two  bells  produce  a fine  effect.  They  were 
rung  together,  for  the  first  time,  last  Sunday. 

For  myself  I can  add  this  : I have  heard  the  finest  bells  of  various  countries, 
and  some  of  the  celebrated  chimes  of  the  world,  and  I have  yet  to  hear  a bell 
that  surpasses  this  one  in  all  essential  requisites.  It  is  simply  faultless.  I can 
only  express  surprise  (in  common  with  others)  that  a bell  of  less  than  1,000 
pounds  weight  has  such  power.  I would  not  be  willing  to  return  you  the  bell 
for  re-casting  if  half  the  cost  of  the  bell  were  presented  us  by  you.  I make 
these  commendations  freely,  and  of  my  own  free  will.  In  conclusion,  I congrat- 
ulate you,  and  remain  very  truly  yours,  &c.,  &c. 

Rectory  “ Church  of  Faith,”  ) 

Mahonoy  City,  Pa.,  April  1,  1869. ) 

REV.  HENRY  S.  GETZ  writes  : The  bell  ordered  from  you  reached  us  safely 
on  Saturday  morning,  27th  ult.,  and  was  hung,  in  time  for  trial,  the  same  day. 
The  tone  of  it,  thus  far,  proves  entirely  satisfactory,  and  I have  not  the  least 
doubt  it  will  continue  to  do  so.  Truly  yours,  &c. 

Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  April  12, 1869. 

D.  HOTCHKISS,  Esq.,  writes  : The  bell  I purchased  of  you  for  the  Park 
Presbyterian  Church  of  this  city,  I fully  i elieve,  gives  universal  satisfaction. 
All  seem  well  pleased  with  it  in  all  respects.  I think  it  is  superior  to  all  others 
in  this  city. 

Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  April  3,  1869. 

REV.  J.  C.  PULCHER,  Pastor  St.  Andrews  Catholic  Church,  writes  : We 
have  received  our  new  bell,  and  I am  proud  to  say  that  it  not  only  gives  satis- 
faction to  me  ami  the  congregation  to  which  it  belongs,  but  it  is  an  honor  and 
pride  to  our  entire  city.  It  has  a much  more  pleasant  and  sweet  tone  than  the 
old  one.  The  bell  is  the  pride  of  the  valley  city,  and  is  the  largest  bell  west  of 
Detroit  belonging  to  any  church. 


52  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


Lundy’s  Lane,  Pa.,  April  22,  1869. 

MR.  J.  E.  WELLS  writes  : The  bell  is  a good  one,  and  lias  been  heard  at  a 
distance  of  seven  miles,  and  all  speak  well  of  its  good  tone  and  sound. 

Rhinebeck,  N.  Y.,  April  5,  1869. 

MR.  G.  A.  CRAMER,  Foreman  Pocahontas  Engine  Co.,  writes:  We  received 
the  bell  on  Saturday,  and  immediately  had  the  pleasure  of  having  our  curiosity 
gratified,  and  we  rejoiced  we  had  so  fine  a toned  bell.  To  say  the  least,  it  is  per- 
fectly satisfactory,  and  the  tone  is  very  much  a imired  by  all,  not  only  our  Com- 
pany but  the  citizens  generally.  Please  accept  the  well-wishes  of  Pocahontas 
Engine  Co.,  and  may  you  always  succeed  as  well  as  you  have  in  our  case  is  the 
wish  of>  Yours  truly. 

Harrisburg,  Aug.  28,  1869. 

Messrs.  Jones  & Co. — Gentlemen:  The  chime  of  eleven  (11)  bells  which 
you  cast  and  placed  in  the  steeple  of  the  First  English  Lutheran  Churon  of  this 
city,  gives  entire  satisfaction  to  our  congregation,  and  we  think  to  the  whole 
community. 

The  casting  of  each,  for  smoothness  and  elegance  of  finish,  together  with  their 
beautiful  symmetry,  make  them  at  once  perfect  gems.  The  tone  of  each  bell  is 
exceedingly  sweet,  the  chording  is  perfect,  and  when  played  together  produces 
the  most  delightful  harmony  imaginable  ; so  much  so.  indeed,  ns  to  have  given 
rise  to  the  remark,  by  connoisseurs,  that  they  are  not  surpassed  by  any  chime  of 
bells  in  this  country  having  the  same  number  of  bells  and  weight  of  metal. 
The  mountings,  and  mode  of  ringing,  also  deserve  especial  notice.  Although 
the  keys  are  about  fi ity-five  (55)  feet  below  the  bells,  they  can  be  played  with 
the  greatest  ease. 

To  any  parties,  therefore,  desiring  a bell,  or  chime  of  bells,  we  can,  f rom  our 
! experience,  commend,  with  all  confidence,  not  only  the  superiority  of  your  bells, 
but  your  mode  of  doing  business,  knowing,  as  we  do,  that  what  you  promise 
must  and  will  be  fulfilled.  Thanking  you  for  many  favors,  and  wishing  you 
increased  prosperity,  we  are, 

Yours  in  harmony, 

WM.  SAYFORD,  | ~ 

JNO.  P.  KELLER,  j G C 

W.  Knocjie,  Organist  First  English  Lutheran  Church. 

Nevada,  Ohio,  May  27,  1869. 

REV.  B A.  DISNEY  writes : Our  bell  came  to  hand  early  Saturday  morning 
last.  We  anxiously  waited  and  watched  all  the  week  for  its  appearance,  and 
greatly  feared  disappointment.  But  through  the  kindness  and  efforts  of  our 
railroad  agent  here  the  bell  was  delivered  to  us  on  the  morning  of  the  day  before 
dedication.  We  went  right  to  work,  and  when  evening  came  it  was  in  its  place 
in  the  belfry,  and  ready  to  be  rung  on  Sabbath  morning.  The  exercises  all 
passed  off  pleasantly,  and  we  think  were  made  much  more  interesting  by  the 
ringing  of  our  bell.  We  are  much  pleased  with  “ our  beU.”  Its  tone  and  vibra- 
tions, &c.,  we  think  can  scarcely  be  excelled.  It  seems,  indeed,  to  be  just  the 
bell  we  wanted,  for  its  size,  style,  and  finish  corresponds  perfectly  with  the  size, 
&c.,  of  our  church.  W e are  greatly  pleased,  and  think  that  the  bell  reflects  credit 
on  the  '■  Troy  Bell  Foundry." 

Sharon,  Conn.,  Feb.  19,  1869. 

REV.  C.  M.  EGLESTON  writes  : The  bell  purchased  from  you  for  the  M.  E. 
Church  here  came  to  hand  on  Wednesday  last,  and  was  raised  the  same  day. 
The  smoothness  and  perfection  of  the  casting  has  been  a subject  of  general  remark. 
The  tone  gives  universal  satisfaction.  Some  feared  our  tower  would  be  found 
insufficient  for  so  heavy  a bell,  but  owing  to  your  complete  arrangements  for 
hanging,  scarcely  a vibration  is  felt  when  standing  close  beside  it.  You  may 
consider  our  satisfaction  complete.  Yours  respectfully,  &c. 

Weight  of  bell,  1246. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


53 


Fall  River,  Mass.,  May  19,  1809. 

AUGUSTUS  CHASE,  Esq.,  writes  : The  bell  arrived  in  good  order,  and  we 
have  put  it  into  the  church  belfry.  It  sounds  well,  and  does  credit  to  you  as 
manufacturers  of  the  same.  It  is  a good  improvement  to  the  church  and  village, 
and  suits  me  well.  Yours,  &c. 

Kindekhook,  N.  Y.,  June  19,  1809. 

P.  E.  VAN  ALSTYNE,  Esq.,  writes  : The  bell  you  furnished  for  our  church 
is  giving  the  very  best  satisfaction,  and  is  heard  tor  many  miles  in  every  direc- 
tion. My  residence  is  two  miles  from  the  church,  and  1 can  distinctly  hear  the 
town  clock,  the  hammer  of  which  is  attached  to  our  bell.  Our  consistory  will 
give  you  any  recommendation  you  may  desire.  Yours  truly,  &c. 

Beamsville.  C.  W.,  June  23,  1869. 

REV.  R.  B.  MONTGOMERY  writes  : The  bell  has  come  safely  and  timely 
to  hand.  Many  toauks  for  your  promptness.  We  swung  the  bell  the  very  day 
of  its  arrival,  and  rung  it  with  the  town  bell  at  sis  in  the  evening  so  as  to  try 
their  tones  and  volume  oi  sound  together.  But  the  town  bell  could  only  be 
beard  chiming  in  now  and  agaiu.  Our  bell  drowns  it  entirely.  The  church  and 
congregation  are  much  pleased,  and  your  bells  need  no  better  advertisement  in 
the  Niagara  valley  than  the  tine,  sonorous  tones  of  the  one  sent  us.  Yours 
truly,  lie. 


Mitchell,  Iowa,  July  6,  1869. 

D.  G.  FRISB1E,  Esq.,  writes  : The  bell  came  to  hand  June  6tli,  and  was,  as 
soon  as  convenient,  placed  in  the  tower.  It  gives  us  good  satisfaction,  and  is  a 
very  clear,  sweet  toned,  musical  bell— the  best  these  wilds  have  ever  heard. 

Lockpokt,  N.  Y\,  July  9,  D69. 

REV.  C.  P.  CLARK  writes  : The  bell  has  just  arrived,  and  “ it  is  a beauty.” 
This  church  had  an  Amalgam  bell.  It  broke  and  they  lost  all  because  it  could 
not  be  re-cast.  The  metal  was  worthless , and  I have  worked  for  a •*  Troy  Bell.” 
Fraternally  yours. 

Church  of  “Our  Lady,”  / 

Chestnut  Hill,  Phila.,  Pa.,  July  20,  1869.  j’ 

REV.  J.  ALEX.  DARRAGH  writes:  I wish  to  get  a bell,  1600  pounds,  lor 
my  church.  I bought  one  from  you  for  the  Catholic  Church,  Schaghticoke,  N. 
Y.,  which  gave  great  satisfaction.  Please  ship  me  one  as  soon  as  possible. 
Yours  respectiully. 

Herman,  N.  Y\,  July  26,  1869. 

REV.  P.  K.  SHELDON  writes  : The  bell  arrived,  in  good  order,  on  the  23d. 
We  mounted  it  on  the  24th.  1 think  the  bell  will  prove  entirely  satis  actory.  It 

was  distinctly  heard,  on  Sunday,  three  miles  or  moie.  The  tone  is  mild,  clear, 
and  ric.i ; the  vibrations  long,  &c.  The  mountings  are  une  ceptionable.  In- 
deed, it  hardly  seems  possible  to  make  any  improvements  upon  them.  It  is  my 
sincere  wish  that  the  bell  may  never  break,  for  1 fear  we  should  hardly  be  able 
to  get  a tone  which  would  suit  us  as  well.  Standing  near  it  one  would  not  think 
it  a powerful  bell  ; but  when  you  get  away  at  a distance  of  three  or  four  miles, 
then  its  power  is  manifest.  Wishing  you  success  in  yout  business,  I am  very 
truly  yours,  &c. 


Jordanville,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  2,  1869. 

MR.  B.  W.  BARKER  writes  : The  bell  cast  by  you  for  the  Warren  Baptist 
Church  of  this  place  was  received  on  Friday,  and  raised  on  Saturday.  Our  suc- 
cess was  perfect — the  simplicity  and  neatness  of  your  mountings  making  their 
adjustment  perfectly  easy  The  bell,  in  every  respect,  excites  gen  ral  admiration, 
and  the  popular  verdict,  in  this  section,  is  greatly  in  favor  of  Ji  ne>  & Co.  [And 
in  a letter  dated  August  9th,  the  same  writer  says]  : The  bell  continues  to  give 
good  satisfaction.  It  has  been  heard  at  Springfield  Center,  eight  miles  distant. 

Weight  of  bell,  840  lbs. 


54 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


Wellington,  Ohio,  Aug.  24,  1869. 

MR.  J.  M.  HOUGHTON  writes:  The  bell  has  proved  to  be  a very  tine  one. 
Have  heard  a great  many,  but  never  heard  a better  one,  and  none  1 liked  as  well. 
The  tone  is  very  rich  aud  mellow.  With  thanks  for  your  kindness,  Ac. 

Stephentown,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  30,  1869. 

MR.  HORACE  L.  WHEELER  writes  : The  bell  arrived  safe,  and  in  due 
time.  We  are  very  much  pleased  with  it.  It  has  a brilliant,  free  tone,  long 
vibration,  and  1 do  not  think  we  could  have  suited  ourselves  better  if  we  had 
had  twenty  bells  to  select  from.  Very  truly,  &c. 

Weight,  1023- — Key,  Ab. 

Pine  Grove  Mills,  Pa.,  Sept.  13,  1869. 

REV.  D.  SELL  writes  : We  have  now  a rope  attached  to  the  bell  and  it  has 
been  rung  quite  a number  of  times,  and  the  people  are  not  only  pleased  but  are 
del lg  . ted  with  it.  Its  sound  is  so  soft  and  inviting  that  one  old  man,  in  his 
admit  ation,  exclaimed,  “ that  sound  is  heavenly.”  The  bell  rings  very  easy.  I 
rung  it  myself,  and  did  it  with  one  hand,  and  with  the  greatest  ease.  We  all 
thank  you  for  senuing  us  such  an  excellent  bell.  Yours  truly,  Ac. 

Burlington,  Vt.,  Nov.  4,  1869. 

D.  J.  WALKER.  Esq.,  writes  : The  bell  proves  very  satisfactory,  and  is  one 
of  fine  tone.  Yours,  very  truly. 


INDEX 


To  the  few  letters  of  Recommendation,  arranged  according  to  the  States  and 
Cities  in  alphabetical  order  for  ready  reference. 


A Inbuma. 


Huntsville, 

Connecticut. 

Danbury, 

East  Killingly, 

Hartford 

Middletown, 

Noank 

Sharon, 

California. 

Sonora, 


Canada  West. 

Beamsville, 

Milford 

Paris,  


Canada  East. 

Brorae  Woods, 

Magog 

St.  Johns, 

St.  Barthelemi, 

Sawyersville, 


Delaware. 

Wilmington 

District  of  Columbia. 

Washington, 

Iowa . 

Anamosa 

Blairstown 

Charles  City, 

Davenport, 

Knoxville, 

Keokuk, 

Lansing, 

Mitchell, 

Pella, 


PAGE. 

...  37 

...  32 
...  38 
...  31 
. ..  40 
...  48 
...  52 

...  35 

...  53 
.. . 41 
...  49 

...  41 
...  49 

33,  37 
38,  42 
...  45 

46 

...  36 

...  41 
...  42 
...  40 
...  36 
...  38 
...  38 
...  40 
...  53 
...  37 


Freeport, . . 
Mendota, .. 
Napierville, 
Sagetown, . 
Waukegan, 

Old  Town, . 

St.  Louis, . . 


Maine. 


Missouri. 


Massachusetts. 

Ashfield, 

Amherst 

Boston, 

Cummington, 

Danvers  Port, 

Fall  River, 

Holyoke,  

Lee, 

Pittsfield 

Sandisfield, 

Williamstown, 


Rushford, 


Minnesota. 


Michigan. 

Detroit, 

East  Saginaw, 

Grand  Rapids, 

Hartlaud, 

Hubbardston, 

Hillsdale 

Morenci, 

Muskegon, 

Ovid, 

Saut  Ste  Marie, 

New  York. 


Indiana. 

Bristol, 

Kendallville, 

Valparaiso, 

Illinois. 

Aurora, 39, 

Belleville, 

Bourbonnois  Grove, 


39 
37 
48 

41 

36 

40 


Albany, 

Becket, 

Bouckville, 

Big  Flatts, 

Bay  Ridge,  L.  I., 

Crown  Point, 

Dansville, 

Dunkirk, 


...  46 
...  41 
...  40 
...  48 
...  31 

...  50 

...  37 

...  35 
. ..  50 
...  48 
...  37 
38,  41 
...  53 
. ..  45 
..  . 51 

. . 32 

...  33 
...  38 


39 


...  34 
..  50 

...  51 

...  49 
...  47 
. ..  32 

...  32 

.43,  45 
. ..  47 
37,  38 

...  45 
...  31 
...  32 

...  42 

...  50 
...  47 
...  39 
...  44 


56 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY 


East  Candor, 

Edinburgh, 

Fort  Plain, 

Herman, 

Jamestown, 

Jordausville, 

Kingsboro, 

Kiantone, 

Kinderhook 

Lansingburgh, 

Lisle, 

Lockport, 

Memphis, 

Madrid, 

New  York, 

Newark, 

North  Hector,  

Norfolk 

Oriskany, 

Palmyra, 

Patchogue,  L.  I., 

Purdy's  Station, 

Peru 

Pawling, 

Iiichville 

Khinebeck, 

Rouse's  Point,  

Redfield, 

Roudout, 

Susquehanna  Depot. 

Syracuse,  

Stone  Ridge, 

Springville, 

Sodus, 

Stcphentown,  

Sandy  Hill 

Troy, 

Union  Centre, 

Unionville 

Whitesville 

Windham  Centre, . . . 
Woodstock 


North  Carolina. 

Windsor, 

Nebraska. 

Santee  Agency, 

New  Jersey. 

Bridgeton, 

Cranberry, 

Elizabethtown 

Elizabethport, 

Iveyport, 

Newark, 

Perth  Amboy, 

Pemberton,  

Southold 

Seargcntsville 


PAGE. 

...  34 


43 

33 

53 

42 

53 

40 

47 

53 

44 

45 

53 

48 

50 

31,  50,  50 

33 

43 

49 

42 

40 

41 

42 

46 

48 

34 

.36,  43.  52 

43,  44 

43 

4 

43 

.43,  45,  51 

46 

51 

51 

. 54 

35 

39,  39 

42 

4’ 

34 

42,  45 

....  46 


Charlestown, 

Portsmouth, 39, 

South  Ackworth, 47 

Nova  Scotia. 

Bridgewater, 4p 


New  Hampshire. 


PAGE. 
..  42 

42 


Ohio. 

Avon, 

Berlin, 

Elyria, .42, 

Liverpool, 

Millersburg 

Nevada, 

Oberlin, 39, 

Wauseon, 

Windsor, 

Wellington, 

Pennsylvania. 

Archibald 

Beudersville, 

Franklin, 

Harrisburg, 

Lundy's  Lane 

Le  Roy, 

Mahonoy  City, 

Millersburg 35, 

Miftinsburg,  

New  Hanover, 

Philadelphia, 33,  40,  41, 

Pine  Grove  Mills 

Saloua 

Sugar  Grove, 

Wyalusing, 

York 


Rhode  Island. 


Providence, . 
Bristol, 


Vermont. 


43, 


.37 


Bradford, 

Burlington,. . . 

Castletou 

East  Rutland, 

Montpelier,  . . 

Northfield 

Pittsfield, 

Roxbury 

Rovalton 

Shelburu, 

Starksboro, 48, 

South  Royalton,... 48, 

Worcester, 


33 
46 
43 
35 
46 
52 

42 

51 

50 
54 

46 

43 
42 

52 

52 

39 

51 

40 

42 

50 

53 

54 
38 
45 

34 
34 

38 

48 

43 

51 

41 
43 

47 
37 

39 

42 

49 

43 
49 

49 

50 


Wisconsin. 

36  Clinton, 45 

.32,  85,  46  Delavau 40 

40  Fond  du  Lac 36 

47,  Milwaukee 35 

34!  Portage 35 

46|sparta, 30 


TROY  HELL  FOUNDRY. 


.07 


HISTORY  OF  BELLS. 


There  is  a history  connected  with  the  art  of  the  manufacture 
of  bells  which  is  worthy  of  note  to  any  one  interested  in  the 
development  and  improvement  of  the  mechanical  arts,  to  meet 
the  requirements  of  man,  and  to  gratify  his  desire  for  excellence 
and  perfection.  True,  the  founding  of  bells  is  not  a process  as 
complicated  as  the  manufacture  of  a watch  or  a steam  engine, 
yet  its  capacity  or  power  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  result 
designed — producing  agreeable  and  pleasing  vibrations  when 
struck  with  the  hammer — requires  the  exercise  of  skill  and  the 
nicest  discrimination,  as  the  delicacjq  exactness,  and  perfect 
adjustment  of  that  most  sensitive  of  all  human  organs  or  senses, 
the  ear,  is  to  be  pleased  or  displeased  by  its  sound  / and  in  its 
capacity  or  power  to  produce  perfect,  or  even  agreeable  sounds, 
lies  its  whole  utility.  The  first  manufacture  of  these  sonorous 
instruments  was  necessarily  very  imperfect — little  better  than 
common  kettles,  indeed — since  nothing  was  known  of  that  nice 
and  exact  combination  of  metals  prepared  and  proportioned 
with  reference  to  the  effect  of  each  and  all  upon  the  sound  pro- 
duced; the  shaping  of  the  instrument  to  modify  and  improve 
the  vibrations;  the  degree  of  elevation,  and  kind  of  tower — all 
affecting  the  sound.  It  was  left  to  the  genius  of  a later  day  to 
develop  these  scientific  facts,  and  their  relation  to  the  efficiency 
and  construction  of  the  bell. 

As  to  the  exact  origin  of  bells,  history  has  given  no  definite 
account.  The  sonorous  properties  of  certain  metals  and  com- 
binations of  metals  was  known  at  a very  early  period,  though 
the  bell  as  known  to  our  time  is  not  an  instrument  of  so  great 

o i 

8 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


58 


antiquity.  Small  tinkling  instruments  are  mentioned  by  the 
old  Hebrew  writers  as  having  been  used  as  ornaments  or  appen- 
dages to  the  dress  or  tunics  worn  by  the  high-priests,  and 
persons  of  distinction,  but  as  to  their  shape  nothing  definite 
has  been  recorded.  The  origin  of  the  name  is  from  the  old 
Saxon  word  bellan , to  bawl  or  bellow.  The  Hebrew  word 
translated  by  the  English  word  bell  is  susceptible  of  other 
translations.  It  meant  any  instrument  that  made  a tinkling 
sound,  and  hence  the  instruments  attached  to  the  robes  of 
priests  to  give  notice  of  their  approach  to  the  sanctuary,  were 
probably  ornamental  contrivances,  which  made  a noise  when 
they  were  moved.  In  those  instruments,  however,  whatever 
shape  they  may  have  had,  we  have  the  origin  of  the  principle  of 
the  bell.  The  bell  is  used  to  this  day,  in  Roman  Catholic  coun- 
tries, for  a similar  purpose  to  that  recorded  in  scripture  ; especi- 
ally is  it  now  used  by  the  priest  as  he  proceeds  to  render  the  rite 
of  extreme  unction  to  the  soul  that  is  passing  away  ; and  so  when 
the  bell  is  tinkled,  in  administering  the  sacrament,  by  the  same 
priest,  it  is  in  pursuance  of  a custom  founded  on  the  ancient 
Hebrew  use  of  it.  Perhaps  no  instrument  of  music  (for  it  is 
ranked  by  musicians  among  the  musical  instruments  of  percus- 
sion) is  more  intimately  associated  with  the  religious  and  imagin- 
ative, as  also  with  the  most  joyous  and  the  saddest  feelings  of 
mankind.  A quaint  old  writer  has  described  their  threefold 
duties  thus  : 


To  call  the  fold  to  church  in  time, 

We  chime. 

When  joy  and  mirth  are  on  the  wing, 
We  ring. 

When  we  lament  a departed  soul, 

We  toll. 


Those  small  bells  were  used  in  the  early  ages  for  civil,  military 
and  religious  purposes,  and  bells  of  a larger  make  are  extensively 
used  in  our  day  for  civil  and  religious  purposes  also.  The  first 
use  of  bells  in  Christian  churches  to  call  people  to  prayer  or  ser- 
vice, of  which  we  have  any  record,  was  by  St.  Paulinus,  in 
Campania,  about  the  year  395  of  the  Christian  Era,  after  which 
it  was  gradually  introduced  into  all  churches  of  every  denomi- 
nation in  the  world.  More  or  less  sacredness,  superstition  and 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


59 

importance  were  attached  to  them  and  their  use.  Bv  the 
Roman  Catholics  they  are  solemnly  blessed,  as  they  are  con- 
secrated to  their  holy  work  of  summoning  worshipers  to  their 
religious  rites.  From  the  circumstance  of  the  bell  receiving 
a name,  and  being  washed  with  holy  water,  the  ceremony  is 
frequently  called  the  baptism  ot  bells.  No  form  of  baptism, 
however,  is  used.  There  is  something  poetical,  at  the  same 
time  playful,  in  the  custom  ot  giving  the  bells  sponsors,  who 
are  usually  persons  who  have  presented  the  bells  to  the  church 
01  who  contribute  handsomely  to  the  expense  ot  purchasing*  it 
at  the  time  ot  blessing.  Chrism  and  oil  are  used  in  the  cere- 
mony of  benediction,  and  in  all  the  more  solemn  consecrations 
ot  utensils  employed  in  the  divine  service.  This  consecration 
ol  bells  dates  back  to  a very  early  period.  In  Charlemagne’s 
Capitulary  ot  7ST,  we  find  the  prohibition  “ ut  cloccoe  baptizen- 
tur  j and  in  the  old  liturgies  ot  the  Catholic  church  is  a 
form  of  consecration  directing  the  priests  to  wash  the  bell  with 
water,  anoint  it  with  oil,  and  mark  it  with  the  sign  of  the  cross, 
in  the  name  ot  the  lrinity.  1 he  practice  ot  naming  bells  was 
also  an  early  one — as  tar  back  as  90S,  when  John  XIII.  named 
the  great  bell  ot  the  Lateran  church,  for  himself,  John.  In  j 
Catholic  churches  is  now  in  constant  use  what  is  denominated  | 
the  Sanctus  bell,  a small  instrument  rung  by  an  attendant  just 
previous  to  the  elevation  ot  the  Host,  in  order  to  fix  the  atten- 
tion ot  the  people.  It  was  formerly  larger  and  hung  in  the 
outer  turret  of  the  church,  and  was  rung  at  the  words  “ Samcte 
bthn i te,  sancte,  Dguh  S cibbaoth , ’ when  all  the  people  within 
hearing,  in  or  out  of  church,  w*ere  enjoined  to  bow  in  adoration. 

The  Ave  Maria  bell  was  rung  at  fixed  hours  to  remind  all  to 
offer  supplication  to  the  Virgin,  and  to  mark  the  hours  of  be- 
ginning and  cessation  ol  labor.  The  Vesper  bell,  immortalized 
by  poets,  was  the  call  to  evening  prayer;  the  Complin  bell 
summoned  the  people  to  the  last  religious  services  of  the  day. 

The  passing  bell  was  rung  among  the  ancient  customs  that  those 
who  heard  it  might  pray  for  the  soul  that  was  leaving  the  world, 
and  this  practice  gave  rise  to  the  superstition  which  gives  the 
bell  a mysterious  connection  with  departed  spirits;  and  the  be- 
lie! has  extensively  prevailed  that  the  evil  spirits,  waiting  to 
seize  the  stranger  about  entering  their  domain  are  driven  off  in 
terror  at  its  sound,  and  leave  the  neophyte  an  entrance  free  and 


60  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 

unobstructed  to  the  world  of  spirits,  and  at  the  gate  of  his  own 
choosing.  From  this  old  custom  probably  is  derived  that  of 
tolling  bells  at  funerals,  practiced  in  our  days ; also  that  prac- 
ticed in  many  localities  of  tolling  the  bell  immediately  after 
death,  the  number  of  times  of  striking  it  indicating  the  age  in 
years  of  the  deceased.  It  is  also  rung  while  the  procession  is 
marching  to  the  grave  and  the  corpse  is  being  lowered  into  the 
ground.  The  bell  was  also  used  in  Catholic  churches  during  the 
ceremony  of  excommunication.  There  were  almost  numberless 
superstitions  in  connection  with  the  bell  many  centuries  ago : 
disconcerting  evil  spirits,  preventing  eclipses,  averting  tem- 
pests, preventing  infections,  abating  lightnings,  and  many  other 
things  equally  absurd,  as  they  were  supposed  to  be  caused  by 
evil  spirits,  who  would  be  driven  off  by  the  sound  of  the  bell. 

Some  historians  tell  us  that  William  the  Conqueror  intro- 
duced into  England  from  France  the  custom  of  ringing  the 
Curfew  bell,  which  “ tolled  the  hour  of  parting  day.'5  Others 
say  the  good  King  Alfred  introduced  the  custom.  It  consisted 
of  ringing  a bell  at  eight  or  nine  o’clock  in  the  evening,  when 
every  one  was  expected  to  extinguish  fire  and  lights  in  the 
house  and  retire.  It  was  called  Curfew  from  this  latter  circum- 
stance, which  is  from  the  French  words  couvre  feu,  cover  fire. 
Hence,  when  at  a later  day,  the  ic  Curfew  tolled  the  knell  of 
parting  day  ” there  was  no  reason  why,  in  its  origin  or  associa- 
tions, one  should  feel  especially  sad.  This  practice  of  ringing 
a bell  at  a certain  hour  was  not  peculiar  to  England,  for  it  pre- 
vailed to  a considerable  extent  in  all  the  countries  on  the  conti- 
nent; as  the  buildings  were  generally  of  wood,  it  was  intended, 
at  a later  period,  as  a precaution  against  fires,  which  were 
common,  and  the  arbitrary  law  of  compelling  all  to  retire  was 
abolished  or  gradually  abandoned.  The  passing  and  curfew 
bells  are  still  represented  in  some  New  England  and  New  York 
villages ; the  one,  as  a funeral  procession  slowly  wends  its  way 
to  the  graveyard,  and  the  other,  by  the  nine  o’clock  bell,  which 
hints  to  all  the  time  for  visiting  to  cease,  and  preparations  to 
be  made  for  retiring — an  hour  later  than  in  the  time  of  William 
the  Conqueror,  it  is  true,  but  yet,  in  general,  an  hour  or  two 
too  early,  even  for  the  quiet  residents  of  New  England  towns. 

As  a signal  to  call  people  together  to  join  in  any  concerted 
action,  the  bell  has  been  used  from  remote  times ; the  feast  of 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  61 

Osiris  was  announced  by  the  ringing  of  bells,  and  the  same 
sound  to  this  day  notifies  hungry  mortals  the  time  to  join  in 
satisfying  their  appetite.  The  Romans  announced  the  time  of 
bathing  by  ringing  of  bells;  and  the  early  Christians  made  use 
of  the  method  to  designate  the  hour  of  prayer,  a practice  kept 
up  by  Romani  Catholics  in  the  ringing  of  the  Angelus  at  morn- 
ning,  noon  and  night,  at  the  sound  of  which  Catholics  are 
expected  to  join  in  this  rite;  and  by  the  Protestant,  in  the 
church-going  bell,  which  summons  him  to  devotion.  In  Britain 
bells  were  applied  to  church  purposes  before  the  conclusion  of 
the  seventh  century,  in  the  monastic  societies  of  Northumbria, 
and  even  as  early  as  the  sixth  in  those  of  Caledonia.  They 
were  therefore  used  from  the  first  erection  of  parish  churches. 
Those  of  France  and  England  appear  to  have  been  furnished 
with  several  bells.  In  France  bells  were  sometimes  made 
of  iron ; and  in  England,  as  formerly  at  Rome,  they  were 
frequently  made  of  brass.  In  times  of  public  danger,  the  bells 
were  rung,  and  signal  fires  were  burned  to  alarm  the  country  ; 
sometimes,  also,  they  were  employed  to  alarm  the  public  enemy 
as  well,  under  the  impression,  apparently,  that  they  would  be 
inspired  with  the  same  terror  as  the  evil  spirits  waiting  for  their 
victim.  In  the  year  610,  when  Clothaire  II.,  King  of  France 
beseiged  Sens,  Lupus,  the  Bishop  of  Orleans,  ordered  for  this 
purpose  the  bells  of  St.  Stephen’s  to  be  rung;  and  as  late  as 
1457,  Calixtus  III.  employed  the  same  device  as  a security 
against  the  dreaded  Osmans,  who  considered  bells  their  most 
dangerous  foe;  whence  they  were  at  times  called  Turk’s 
bells.  Among  the  Greeks,  those  who  went  the  nightly  rounds 
in  camps  or  garrisons,  carried  with  them  little  bells,  which  they 
rung  at  each  sentry  box,  to  see  that  the  soldiers  on  watch  were 
awake.  A codonophorus,  or  bellman  also  walked  in  funeral 
processions  some  space  in  advance  of  the  corpse,  not  only  to 
keep  off  the  crowd,  but  to  advertise  the  flamen  dialis  to  keep 
out  of  the  way,  lest  he  should  be  polluted  by  the  sight,  or  by 
the  funerary  music.  The  priest  of  Proserpine  at  Athens,  called 
hieroj)hantes,  rung  the  bell  to  call  the  people  to  sacrifice.  There 
were  also  bells  in  the  houses  of  great  men,  to  call  the  servants 
in  the  morning.  Zonaras  informs  us  that  bells  were  suspended 
along  with  whips  on  the  triumphal  chariots  of  victorious  gen- 
erals, in  order  to  put  them  in  mind  that  they  were  still  liable  to 


62 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


public  justice.  Bells  were  also  put  on  the  necks  of  criminals 
going  to  execution,  that  persons  might  be  warned  by  the  noise 
to  avoid  so  ill  an  omen  as  the  sight  of  the  hangman,  or  the 
condemned  criminal,  who  was  devoted  to  the  dii  manes.  We 
find  in  history  meution  of  bells  on  the  necks  of  brutes  ; and 
taking  them  away  was  construed  theft  by  the  civil  law.  The 
custom  in  the  United  States  of  putting  bells  <m  cows,  sheep, 
cVc.,  to  prevent  their  straying  away,  doubtless  grew  out  ot  this 
practice  of  the  ancients. 

In  our  cities  alarm  bells  are  rung  to  an  extent  our  ancestors 
never  dreamed  of;  and  their  sound,  grown  familiar  to  our  ears, 
no  longer  inspires  terror,  as  it  calls  the  firemen  to  their  duties. 
In  the  quaint  old  rhymes  of  the  monks,  and  the  songs  of  the 
poets,  which  commemorate  the  uses  ot  the  bell,  this  modern 
application  of  it  is  not  alluded  to.  Their  various  early  uses  have 
been  summed  up  in  the  following  old  distich: 

Laudo  Deurn  verum,  plebem  voco,  congrego  clerum,  Defunctos  ploro,  pestem 
fiigo,  festa  decoro. 

Schiller,  however,  in  his  celebrated  “ Song  ot  the  Bells,  ’ the 
motto  of  which  is: 

Vivos  voco,  mortuos  plango,  fulgura  Irango, 

does  not  omit  to  notice  this  fear-inspiring  sound.  Indeed,  in 
this  beautiful  poem,  all  the  joys,  sorrows,  pangs,  emotions,  ter- 
rors, and  blessings  attendant  on  humanity,  in  connection  with 
the  part  which  the  bell  plays,  are  most  vividly  portrayed.  Even 
the  description  of  the  various  operations  of  mixing  and  fusing 
the  alloy,  and  pouring  the  liquid  metal  into  the  mould  prepared 
to  give  it  its  shape,  are  happily  interwoven  with  all  those  uses 
which  the  bell  is  thereafter  to  serve.  Each  phase  ot  the  process 
suggests  its  appropriate  phase  of  human  life;  and  the  story  ot 
the  bell  draws  forth  those  admirable  pictures  ot  the  infant  pre- 
sented at  the  baptismal  font— of  the  maiden  at  the  altar  ot  the 
sweet  ministrations  of  maternity  and  home — of  man's  ambition 
and  woman’s  love — such  as  the  hand  of  a master  workman  alone 
can  produce.  This  poem  is  so  touchingly  beautiful  we  produce 
a portion  of  it  here  : 

“Wliat  we  are  forming  in  the  mould 
By  dint  of  hand  and  melting  flame, 

High  in  the  church-tower  shall  be  tolled, 

And  far  and  wide  our  work  proclaim. 


TROY  HELL  FOUNDRY. 


63 


“'To  distant  days  it  shall  remain, 

Its  notes  on  many  an  ear  shall  fall ; 

Its  chimes  with  sorrow  shall  complain, 

And  ring  abroad  devotion’s  call. 

“Whatever  to  us  mortals  here 
A shifting  destiny  e’er  brings, 

It  struck  upon  its  metal  clear 

Which  to  all  ears  the  lesson  rings. 

“Clear  and  full  with  festal  sound, 

It  hails  the  lovely  infant  child, 

First  entering  on  his  earthly  round, 

Borne  in  the  arms  of  slumber  mild. 

“When  the  manly  and  the  fair, 

When  strength  and  beauty  form  a pair, 
Then  rings  it  out  a merry  song  ; 

Lovely  in  the  young  bride’s  hair 
Shines  the  bridal  coronal ; 

While  the  church-bell-chimes  so  fair 
Summon  to  the  festival. 

“From  the  dome 
Heavy  and  long 
Sounds  the  bell 
A funeral  sung. 

Solemnly,  with  measured  strokes,  attending 
Weary  wanderer  on  his  last  way  wending.” 


None  the  less  beautiful,  though  of  a different  vein  of  senti- 
ment, is  the  poem  of  Edgar  A.  Poe,  entitled  “The  Pells.” 

I. 

Hear  the  sledges  with  the  bells — 

Silver  bells ! 

What  a world  of  merriment  their  melody  tells. 

How  they  tinkle,  tinkle, 

In  the  icy  air  of  night ! 

While  the  stars  that  over  sprinkle 
All  the  heavens,  seem  to  tinkle 

With  the  crystalline  delight ; 

Keeping  time,  time,  time 
In  a sort  of  Runic  rhyme, 

To  the  tintinnabulation  that  so  musically  wells 
From  the  bells,  bells,  bells,  bells, 

Bells,  bells,  bells — 

From  the  jingling  and  tinkling  of  the  bells. 


04 


TROY  KELL  FOUNDRY. 


n. 

Hear  the  mellow  wedding  bells, 

Golden  bells  ! 

What  a world  of  happiness  their  harmony  foretells  ! 
Through  the  balmy  air  of  night 
How  they  ring  out  their  delight ! 

From  the  molten  golden  notes, 

And  all  in  tune, 

What  a liquid  ditty  floats 
To  the  turtle  dove  that  listens,  while  she  gloats, 

On  the  moon  ! 

On,  from  out  the  sounding  cells, 

Wnat  a gush  of  euphony  voluminously  swells  ! 

How  it  swells ! 

How  it  dwells 

On  the  Future  ; how  it  tells 
Of  the  rapture  that  impels 
To  the  swinging  and  the  ringing 
Of  the  bells,  bells,  bells, 

Of  the  bells,  bells,  bells,  bells, 

Bells,  bells,  bells, 

To  the  rhyming  and  the  chiming  of  the  bells ! 

111. 

Hear  the  loud  alarum  bells — 

Brazen  bells! 

What  a tale  of  terror,  now,  their  turbulency  tells  ! 

In  the  startled  ear  of  night 
How  they  scream  out  their  affright! 

Too  much  horrified  to  speak 
They  can  only  shriek,  shriek 
Out  of  tune, 

In  a clamorous  appealing  to  the  mercy  of  the  fire, 

In  a mad  expostulation  with  the  deaf  and  frantic  fire 
Leaping  higher,  higher,  higher, 

With  a desperate  desire, 

And  a resolute  endeavor, 

Now — now  to  sit  or  never 
By  the  side  of  the  pale-faced  moon. 

Oh  the  bells,  bells,  bells, 

What  a tale  their  terror  tells 
Of  despair, 

How  they  clang,  and  clash,  and  roar 
What  a horror  they  outpour 
On  the  bosom  of  a palpitating  air! 

Yet  the  ear  it  fully  knows, 

By  the  t wanging, 

And  the  clanging, 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  65 


How  the  danger  ebbs  and  flows  ; 

Yet  the  ear  distinctly  tells, 

In  the  jangling, 

And  the  wrangling, 

How  the  danger  sinks  and  swells, 

By  the  surging  or  the  swelling  in  the  anger  of  the  bells — 
Of  the  bells — 

Of  the  bells,  bells,  bells,  bells, 

Bells,  bells,  bells — 

In  the  clangor  and  the  clamor  of  the  bells ! 

IV. 

Hear  the  tolling  of  the  bells — 

Iron  bells ! 

What  a world  of  solemn  thought  their  monody  compels! 

In  the  silence  of  the  night, 

How  we  shiver  with  affright. 

At  the  melancholy  menace  of  their  tone  ! 

For  every  sound  that  floats 
From  the  rust  within  their  throats 
Is  a groan. 

And  the  people — oh  the  people — 

They  that  dwell  up  in  the  steeple, 

All  alone, 

And  who,  tolling,  tolling,  tolling, 

In  that  muffled  monotone, 

Feel  a glory  in  so  rolling 
On  the  human  heart  a stone — 

They  are  neither  man  nor  woman — 

They  are  neither  brute  nor  human — 

They  are  Ghouls : 

And  their  king  it  is  who  tolls  ; 

And  he  rolls,  rolls,  rolls. 

Rolls 

A paean  from  the  bells ! 

And  his  merry  bosoms  swells 
With  the  paean  of  the  bells ! 

And  he  dances,  and  he  yells  ; 

Keeping  time,  time,  time, 

In  a sort  of  Runic  rhyme, 

To  the  throbbing  of  the  bells — 

Of  the  bells,  bells,  bells — 

To  the  sobbing  of  the  bells ; 

Keeping  time,  time,  time. 

As  he  knells,  knells,  knells, 

In  the  happy  Runic  rhyme, 

To  the  rolling  of  the  bells — 

Of  the  bells,  bells,  bells — 


9 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


6(5 


To  the  tolling  of  the  bells, 

Of  the  bolls,  bells,  bells,  bells — 

Bells,  bells,  bells — 

To  the  moaning  and  the  groaning  of  the  bells. 


The  ringing  of  bells,  on  account  of  tlie  associations,  arouses 
feelings  of  patriotism  in  the  breast.  John  Cf.  Whittier,  that 
author  of  many  national  lyrics,  on  hearing  the  bells  ring  for  joy 
on  account  of  the  passage  of  the  constitutional  amendment 
abolishing  slavery  in  the  United  States,  expresses  his  feelings  in 
the  poem,  “ Laus  Deo.’’ 

It  is  done ! 

Clang  of  bell  and  roar  of  gun 
Send  the  tidings  up  and  down. 

How  the  belfries  rock  and  reel, 

How  the  great  guns,  peal  on  peal 
Fling  joy  from  town  to  town! 

Bing,  O bells ! 

Every  stroke  exulting  tells 
Of  the  burial  hour  of  crime. 

Loud  and  long,  that  all  may  hear, 

Bing  for  every  listening  ear 
Of  Eternity  and  Time. 

Let  us  kneel : 

God’s  own  voice  is  in  that  peal, 

And  this  spot  is  holy  ground. 

Lord,  forgive  us!  What  are  we, 

That  our  eyes  this  glory  see, 

That  our  ears  have  heard  the  sound  ! 

****** 

Bing  and  swing 

Bells  of  joy!  on  morning's  wing 
Send  the  song  of  praise  abroad  ; 

With  a song  of  broken  chains. 

Tell  the  nations  that  He  reigns, 

Who  alone  is  Lord  and  God. 


Who  has  not  heard  of  the  Christmas  bells  ( Henry  W.  Lons'- 
fellow,  one  of  America’s  most  brilliant  and  beloved  poets,  lias 
made  them  immortal: 


I heard  the  bells  on  Christmas  Day 
Their  old,  familiar  carols  play, 

And  wild  and  sweet 
The  words  repeat 

Of  peace  on  earth,  good  will  to  men  ! 

And  thought  how,  as  the  day  had  come, 
The  belfries  of  all  Christendom 
Had  rolled  along 
The  unbroken  song 
Of  peace  on  earth,  good  will  to  men  ! 

Till,  ringing,  singing  on  its  way, 

The  world  revolved  from  night  to  day, 

A voice,  a chime, 

A chant  sublime 

Of  peace  on  earth,  good  will  to  men  ! 

Then  from  each  black,  accursed  mouth, 
The  cannon  thundered  in  the  South, 

And  with  the  sound 
The  carols  drowned 
Of  peace  on  earth , good  will  to  men  ! 

It  was  as  if  an  earthquake  rent 
The  hearth-stones  of  a continent, 

And  made  forlorn 
The  households  born 
Of  peace  on  earth,  good  will  to  men  I 

As  in  despair  I bowed  my  head  ; 

“There  is  no  peace  on  earth,  ” I said  : 

“ For  hate  is  strong 
And  mocks  the  song 
Of  peace  on  earth,  good  will  to  men!  ” 

Then  pealed  the  bells  more  loud  and  deep  : 
“ God  is  not  dead  ; nor  doth  he  sleep  ! 

The  Wrong  shall  fail, 

The  Right  prevail 

With  peace  on  earth,  good  will  to  men  ! ” 


Alfred  Tennyson,  the  English  Poet  Laureate,  burst  forth  in 
the  following  strain  of  admiration  to  the  ringing  out  of  the 
bells : 

Ring  out,  wild  bells,  to  the  wild  sky, 

The  flying  clouds,  the  frosty  light  ; 

The  year  is  dying  in  the  night ; 

Ring  out,  wild  bells,  and  let  him  die. 


68  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


Ring  out  the  old,  ring  in  the  new, 

Ring,  happy  bells,  across  the  snow  : 

The  year  is  going,  let  him  go  ; 

Ring  out  the  false,  ring  in  the  true. 

Ring  out  the  grief  that  saps  the  mind, 

For  those  that  here  we  see  no  more  ; 
Ring  out  the  feud  of  rich  and  poor, 

Ring  in  redress  to  all  mankind. 

Ring  out  the  slowly  dying  cause, 

And  ancient  forms  of  party  strife  : 

Ring  in  the  nobler  modes  of  life, 

With  sweeter  manners,  purer  laws. 

Ring  out  the  want,  the  care,  the  sin, 

The  faithless  coldness  of  the  times  ; 
Ring  out,  ring  out  my  mournful  rhymes, 
But  ring  the  fuller  minstrel  in. 

Ring  out  false  pride  in  place  and  blood. 

The  civic  slander  and  the  spite  ; 

Ring  in  the  love  of  truth  and  right, 

Ring  in  the  common  love  of  good. 

Ring  out  old  shapes  of  foul  disease, 

Ring  out  the  narrowing  lust  of  gold  ; 
Ring  out  the  thousand  wars  of  old, 

Ring  in  the  thousand  years  of  peace. 

Ring  in  the  valiant  man  and  free, 

The  larger  heart,  the  kindlier  hand ; 
Ring  out  the  darkness  of  the  land. 

Ring  in  the  Christ  that  is  to  be. 


ELECTRICAL  BELLS. 

Electrical  bells  are  used  in  a variety  of  entertaining  exhibi- 
tions by  electricians.  The  apparatus,  which  is  originally  of 
German  invention,  consists  of  three  small  bells,  suspended  from 
a narrow  plate  ot  metal,  the  two  outermost  by  chains,  and  that 
in  the  middle,  from  which  a chain  passes  to  the  floor,  by  a silken 
string.  Two  small  knobs  of  brass  are  also  suspended  by  silken 
strings,  one  on  each  side  of  the  bell  in  the  middle,  which  serve 
for  clappers.  When  this  apparatus  is  connected  with  an  electri- 
fied conductor,  the  outermost  bells  suspended  by  the  chains 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  69 

will  be  charged,  attract  the  clappers,  and  be  struck  by  them. 
The  clappers,  becoming  electrified,  will  likewise  be  repelled  by 
these  hells,  and  attracted  by  the  middle  bell,  and  discharge 
themselves  upon  it  by  means  of  the  chain  extending  to  the 
floor.  After  this  they  will  be  again  attracted  by  the  outermost 
bells,  and  thus,  by  striking  the  bells  alternately,  occasion  a ring- 
ing, which  may  be  continued  at  pleasure.  Flashes  of  light  will 
be  seen  in  the  dark  between  the  bells  and  the  clappers,  and  if 
the  electrification  be  strong,  the  discharge  will  be  made  without 
actual  contact,  and  the  ringing  will  cease. 


MUSICAL  BELLS. 

Music  bells  are  still  in  use  in  some  parts  of  Europe,  and  to 
some  extent  in  this  country,  and  are  looked  upon  as  a rare 
novelty.  They  are  played  in  Europe  by  means  of  keys,  not 
unlike  those  of  a piano  forte.  An  old  painting  of  King  David 
represents  him  as  playing,  with  a hammer  in  each  hand,  upon 
five  bells,  which  were  hung  up  before  him.  The  music  of  the 
thirty-three  bells  which  were  suspended  in  the  tower  of  the 
Cathedral  at  Antwerp  is  highly  celebrated.  One  of  these  bells 
was  seven  feet  wide,  and  eight  feet  high.  The  Swiss  bell-ringers, 
famous  for  their  performances,  produce  the  most  exquisite  melody 
from  hand  bells.  The  Peak  family,  and  others,  in  this  country, 
have  also  become  famous  in  this  connection.  So  skillful  are  they 
in  the  use  of  them,  that  they  will  change  from  one  to  another 
with  very  great  rapidity.  The  bells  vary  in  si^b  from  a large 
cow-bell  to  the  smallest  dinner  bell,  all  with  a different  key;  and 
as  many  as  forty-two  are  used  by  a company  of  seven  persons. 

Bells  were  early  introduced  into  almost  all  the  countri  ;s  of 
Europe.  We  find  three  golden  bells,  in  an  azure  field,  making 
the  coat  of  arms  of  the  imperial  house  of  the  Comneni,  one  of 
the  most  illustrious  families  that  have  occupied  the  Byzantine 
throne. 

LARGE  BELLS. 

We  have  stated  that  bells  were  first  introduced  into  use  in 
churches  about  the  year  395  of  the  Christian  Era.  Since  then 


70  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 

many  very  large,  and  on  this  account,  prominent,  hells  have 
been  made.  As  early  as  the  sixth  century  churches  were 
furnished  with  their  campanile,  or  bell-tower,  which  still  con- 
tinues to  be  one  of  their  distinguishing  features.  Several  were 
used  in  a single  church,  as  is  still  the  custom,  when  arranged  in 
chimes,  or,  as  is  sometimes  the  case,  without  regard  to  harmony 
of  tone.  This  practice  of  ringing  bells  in  change,  or  regular 
peals,  is  said  to  be  peculiar  to  England,  and  the  custom  seems 
to  have  been  introduced  in  the  time  of  the  Saxons,  and  to  have 
been  quite  common  before  the  Conquest.  The  tolling  of  a bell 
is  nothing  more  than  the  production  of  sound  by  a stroke  of  the 
clapper  against  the  side  of  the  bell,  the  bell  itself  being  in  a 
pendant  position  and  at  rest.  But  in  ringing , the  bell  is  eleva- 
ted to  a horizontal  position,  so  that,  by  means  of  a wheel  and  a 
rope,  the  clapper  strikes  forcibly  on  one  side  as  it  ascends,  and 
on  the  other  side  in  its  return  downwards,  producing  at  each 
stroke  a sound.  In  England  and  the  United  States  the  ringing 
of  bells  is  reduced  to  a system,  and  peals  have  been  composed 
which  bear  the  names  of  the  inventor. 

There  are  many  very  large  bells  in  use.  The  church  of  the 
Abbey  of  Croyland,  in  England,  had  one  great  bell  named 
Suthlac , presented  by  the  Abbot  Turketulus,  who  died  about 
the  year  870,  and  subsequently  six  others,  presented  by  his 
successor,  Egelric,  and  named  Bartholomew  and  Betelin,  Tur. 
ketel  and  Tatwin,  Bega  and  Bega.  When  all  these  were  rung 
together,  Ingulphus  says,  “ Fiebat  mirabilis  harmonia,  nee  crat 
tunc  tanta  consonantia  cam/pa/narum  in  tota  Anglia.''  But 
Russia  exceeds  "hll  other  countries  in  its  foundries  for  bells.  In 
Moscow  alone,  before  the  revolution,  there  were  no  less  than  1,766 
large  bells;  in  a single  tower  there  were  thirty-seven.  One 
was  so  large  that  it  required  twenty-four  men  to  ring  it,  and 
this  was  done  by  simply  pulling  the  clapper.  Its  weight  is 
estimated  at  288, U00  pounds.  The  great  bell  cast  by  order  ol 
the  Empress  Anne,  in  1653,  and  now  lying  broken  upon  the 
ground,  is  estimated  to  weigh  44-3,772  pounds;  it  is  19  feet 
high,  and  measures  around  its  margin  <53  feet  11  inches.  The 
value  of  the  metal  alone  in  this  bell  is  estimated  to  amount 
to  over  $300,000.  Whether  this  bell  was  ever  hung  or  not 
authorities  seem  to  differ.  We  take  from  Clarke’s  Travels  the 
following  extract  concerning  the  bells  of  Moscow,  and  of  the 


. TKOY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  71 

great  bell  in  particular:  “The  numberless  bells  of  Moscow 
continue  to  ring  during  the  whole  of  Easter  week,  tinkling  and 
tolling  without  harmony  or  order.  The  large  bell  near  the 
cathedral,  is  only  used  upon  important  occasions,  and  yields  the 
iinest  and  most  solemn  tone  1 ever  heard.  When  it  sounds,  a 
deep  hollow  murmur  vibrates  all  over  Moscow,  like  the  fullest 
tones  of  a vast  organ,  or  the  rolling  of  distant  thunder.  This  bell 
is  suspended  in  a tower  called  the  belfn  of  St.  Ivan,  beneath 
others  which,  though  of  less  size,  are  enormous.  It  is  40  feet  9 
inches  in  circumference,  l(>-£  inches  thick,  and  weighs  more  than 
fifty-seven  tons.”  The  great  bell  of  Moscow,  known  to  be  the 
largest  ever  founded,  is  in  a deep  pit  in  the  midst  of  Kremlin. 
The  history  of  its  fall  is  a fable,  and  as  writers  continue  to  copy 
each  other,  the  story  continues  to  be  propagated ; the  fact  is,  the 
bell  remains  where  it  was  originally  cast ; it  was  never  suspended. 
The  Russians  might  as  well,  says  this  same  writer,  attempt  to 
suspend  a lirst-rate  line  of  battleship  with  all  its  guns  and  stores. 
A tire  took  place  in  the  Kremlin,  the  flames  of  which  caught  the 
building  erected  over  the  pit  in  which  the  bell  yet  remained  ; in 
consequence  of  this  the  metal  became  hot,  and  water  thrown 
to  extinguish  the  tire  fell  upon  the  bell,  causing  the  fracture 
which  has  taken  place.  This  bell  is  truly  a mountain  of  metal- 
It  has  been  said  to  contain  a large  proportion  of  gold  and  silver,  for 
while  it  was  in  fusion  the  nobles  and  the  people  cast  in  as  votive 
offerings  their  plate  and  money.  But  this  story  is  probably  a 
tietim.  The  natives  of  Russia  regard  it  with  superstitious  vene. 
ration,  and  they  will  not  allow  even  a grain  to  be  tiled  oft"  that 
it  may  be  tested  ; at  the  same  time,  we  are  informed  that  the 
compound  has  a white,  shining  appearance,  unlike  bell  metal  in 
general,  and  perhaps  its  silvery  appearance  has  strengthened,  if 
not  given  rise  to  a conjecture  respecting  the  richness  of  its  ma_ 
terials.  On  festival  days  the  peasants  visit  the  bell  as  they 
would  a church,  considering  it  an  act  of  devotion,  and  they  cross 
themselves  as  they  descend  and  ascend  the  steps  leading  to  the 
bell.  In  1837  the  Czar  Nicholas  caused  this  great  bell  to  be 
elevated  from  the  deep  pit  in  which  it  lay,  and  to  be  placed  upon 
a granite  pedestal.  Upon  its  side  is  seen,  over  a border  of  flowers, 
the  figure  of  the  Empress  Anne  in  flowing  robes.  The  bell  has 
been  consecrated  a chapel;  the  door  is  in  the  aperture  made  by 
the  piece  which  fell  out.  The  size  of  the  room  is  22  feet 


I 


72  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 

. 

diameter  and  21  feet  3 inches  in  height.  The  bells  of  China  rank 
next  in  size  to  those  of  Russia.  In  Pekin,  it  is  stated  by  Father 
Le  Compte,  there  are  seven  bells,  each  weighing  120,000  pounds. 
Excepting  the  bells  recently  cast  for  the  new  Houses  of  Parlia- 
ment, the  largest  of  which  weighs  fourteen  to?is,  there  is  only 
one  bell  in  England  larger  than  that  upon  the  City  Hall  in  New 
York  city.  It  was  cast  in  1845,  tor  Y'ork  Minster,  and  weighs 
27,000  pounds,  and  is  only  -seven  feet  seven  inches  in  diameter. 
The  great  Tom  of  Oxford  weighs  17,000  pounds ; and  the  great 
Tom  of  Lincoln,  12,000  pounds.  The  bell  of  St.  Paul's,  in 
London,  is  nine  feet  in  diameter,  and  weighs  11,500  pounds. 
One  placed  in  the  Cathedral  of  Paris,  in  1(580,  weighs  38,000 
pounds.  Another  in  Vienna,  cast  in  1711,  weighs  40,000  pounds; 
and  in  Olmntz  is  another  weighing  about  the  same.  The  famous 
bell  called  lusanne  of  Erfurt,  is  considered  to  be  of  the  finest 
bell  metal,  containing  the  largest  proportion  of  silver ; its  weight 
is  about  30,000  pounds.  It  was  cast  in  1497.  Luther,  when  a 
school  boy,  must  have  heard  its  earliest  peals,  and  in  later  years 
have  welcomed  its  sound  at  each  return  to  Erfurt.  At  Montreal, 
Canada,  is  a larger  bell  than  any  in  England.  It  was  imported 
in  1843  for  the  Notre  Dame  Cathedral.  Its  weight  is  29,458 
pounds.  In  the  opposite  tower  of  the  Cathedral  is  a chime  of 
ten  bells,  the  heaviest  of  which  weighs  6,043  pounds,  arid  their 
aggregate  weight  is  21,800  pounds. 

Chimes  are  a collection  of  bells  struck  with  hammers;  or  a set 
of  music  bells  struck  by  hammers  acted  on  by  a pinned  cylinder, 
or  barrel,  which  is  made  to  revolve  by  clock-work.  These  are 
frequently  attached  to  time  pieces,  and  so  arranged  as  to  produce 
chimes,  or  tunes,  at  stated  intervals;  also  in  church  towers  to  be 
rung  in  unison. 

There  are  but  few  bells  of  a very  large  size  in  the  United 
States.  The  bell  now  in  the  Hall  of  Independence,  in  Philadel- 
phia, is  celebrated  as  being  connected  with  the  ever  memorable  i 
4th  of  July,  1776,  when  it  first  announced  by  its  peal  the  declara- 
tion then  made,  the  most  important  event  in  the  history  of  our 
country.  It  was  imported  from  England  in  1752,  and  owing  to 
its  being  cracked  on  trial  by  a stroke  of  the  clapper,  was  re-cast 
in  Philadelphia,  -under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Isaac  Norris,  to 
whom  we  are  probably  indebted  for  the  following  inscription, 
which  surrounds  the  bell  near  the  top,  from  Leviticus  xxv.,  10: 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY 


73 


“ Proclaim  liberty  throughout  all  the  land,  unto  all  the  inhabi- 
tants thereof.”  Immediately  beneath  this  is  added : “ By 

order  of  the  Assembly  of  the  Province  of  Penn,  for  the  State 
House  in  Phil.”  Under  this  again,  “Pass  A Stow,  Phil., 
MDCCLIil.”  In  1777,  during  the  occupation  of  Philadel- 
phia by  the  British,  the  bell  was  removed  to  Lancaster.  After 
its  return  it  was  used  as  State  House  bell  until  the  erection  of 
the  present  steeple,  with  its  bell,  in  1828.  Then  it  ceased  to  be 
used,  excepting  on  extraordinary  occasions.  Filially  it  was 
removed  to  its  present  appropriate  resting  place  in  the  Ilall  of 
Independence.  Its  last  ringing,  when  it  was  unfortunately 
cracked,  was  in  honor  of  the  visit  of  Henry  Clay  to  Philadelphia. 
There  are  no  other  bells  of  special  interest  in  this  country, 
though  many  of  superior  make,  and  of  comparatively  large  size, 
in  all  the  larger  cities  of  the  States.  Those  used  upon  the  tire 
alarm  towers  are  from  9,000  to  12,000  pounds  weight.  They  are 
hung  in  a iixed  position,  and  struck  by  a hammer,  instead  of 
being  turned  over. 


METALS  USED. 

Bells  have  been  made  of  various  metals.  In  France  formerly 
iron  was  used,  and  in  other  parts  of  Europe  brass  was  a common 
material.  In  Sheffield,  England,  the  manufacture  of  cast-steel 
bells  has  been  recently  introduced ; this  material  is  said  to  have 
an  advantage  over  others  in  being  of  greater  strength  and  less 
weight.  Steel  bells  are  cast  by  pouring  the  contents  of  the  steel 
pots  into  the  bell  mould  instead  of  into  the  ordinary  ingot 
moulds.  But  their  tone  is  said  to  be  harsh  and  very  disagreeable, 
hence  the  bell  will  probably  never  come  into  use  to  any  extent. 
Cast-steel  drills,  bent  into  the  form  of  a triangle,  and  suspended 
to  a building,  or  post,  are  much  used  in  place  of  bells  about 
mining  establishments.  But  the  bell  metal,  that  which  is  in  most 
extensive  use  and  most  generally  approved,  is  an  alio}'  of  copper 
and  tin,  in  no  fixed  proportion,  but  varying  from  65  to  80  per 
cent,  of  copper  and  the  remainder  tin.  But  other  metals  are 
often  introduced,  as  zinc,  with  the  object  of  adding  to  the 
shrillness  of  the  sound  ; silver  to  its  softness,  and  also  lead.  The 
10 


74  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 

metal  of  a bell  in  England  was  analyzed,  and  found  to  consist  of 
copper  800  parts,  tin  101,  zinc  56,  and  lead  43.  Cymbals  and 
gongs  contain  81  copper  and  13  tin.  Mr.  Denison,  who  bad 
charge  of  the  founding  of  the  new  bells  for  the  British  Houses 
of  Parliament,  thinks  the  use  of  silver  is  entirely  imaginary ; 
and  that  there  is  no  reason  for  believing  it  could  be  of  any 
service.  He  condemns  the  use  of  all  other  materials  but  copper 
and  tin,  and  advised  that  contracts  for  bells  stipulate  that  the 
alloy  shall  consist  of  at  least  20  per  cent,  of  tin,  and  remainder 
copper.  Three  and  a half  to  one  is  perhaps  the  best  proportion. 
These  views  are  generally  conceded  by  manufacturers  in  this 
country  to  be  correct,  and  they  are  generally  governed  by  them. 

The  bell  founders  have  a diapason,  or  scale,  wherewith  they 
measure  the  size,  thickness,  weight,  and  tone  of  their  bells,  and 
have  carried  the  art  of  making  them  to  a high  degree  of  per- 
fection. 

The  sound  of  a bell  is  produced  by  the  vibratory  motion  of 
its  parts,  somewhat  like  that  of  a musical  chord.  The  stroke 
of  the  clapper  must  necessarily  change  the  figure  of  the  bell, 
and  from  a circle  convert  it  into  ap  oval  or  ellipse ; but  the 
metal  having  a great  degree  of  elasticity,  that  part  impinged  on 
by  the  clapper,  and  driven  farthest  from  the  center,  will  return, 
and  even  incline  nearer  the  center  than  before ; so  that  the  two 
parts  which  were  extremes  of  the  longest  diameter,  become  in 
turn  those  of  the  shortest ; and  thus  the  external  surface  of  the 
bell  undergoes  alternate  changes  of  figure,  and  by  this  means 
gives  that  tremulous  motion  to  the  air,  in  which  the  sound 
consists.  The  proportion  of  metals,  shape  and  proportion  of 
bells,  all  affect  the  sound,  lienee  the  adjusting  of  a bell  to  produce 
a smooth,  uniform,  even  sound,  requires  skill  and  experience,  and 
thorough  testing.  There  are  different  theories  as  to  the  philosophy 
of  sound  produced  by  the  bell.  One  eminent  writer  maintains 
that  a bell  is  a compound  of  an  infinite  number  of  rings,  which, 
according  to  their  dimensions,  have  different  tones,  as  chords  of 
different  lengths  have  ; and  when  struck,  the  vibrations  of  the 
parts  immediately  impinged  determine  the  tone,  being  supported 
by  a sufficient  number  of  consonant  tones  in  the  other  parts. 

Bells  are  heard  to  a greater  distance  when  placed  on  plains 
than  on  hills,  and  still  further  in  valleys  than  on  plains;  the 
reason  of  which  seems  to  be,  that  the  higher  the  sonorous  body 


TKOY  BELL  FOUNDRY.  75 

the  rarer  is  the  medium,  and,  consequently,  the  less  impulse  it 
receives,  and  the  less  proper  medium  it  is  to  convey  sound  to  a 
distance. 

SHAPE  OF  BELLS. 

As  pots  and  other  vessels  more  immediately  necessary  in  the 
service  of  life  were  made  before  bells,  it  probably  happened  that 
the  observing  of  these  vessels  to  have  a sound  when  struck  gave 
rise  to  the  making  of  larger  bells  of  that  form ; but  that  hemi- 
spherical form  proved  not  to  be  the  best  and  is  now  oidy  used  in 
small  bells,  such  as  door-bells,  clocks,  &c.,  but  entirely  unfitted 
for  the  heavy,  far-reaching,  and  pleasing  tones  required  in  large 
bells.  The  conical  form  in  general  use  is  most  approved. 


MANUFACTURE  OF  BELLS. 

The  European  process  of  casting  bells  is  to  make  the  mould  in 
a depression  in  the  sand  floor  of  the  foundry,  piling  up  a hollow 
case  of  brickwork  upon  a solid  foundation,  in  which  a fire  is  kept 
burning  to  preserve  the  liquid  metal,  when  poured  around  it,  | 
from  too  rapid  cooling.  The  outer  surface  of  the  case  is  the 
shape  of  the  inner  surface  of  the  bell.  To  give  the  outer  surface} 
a cover  of  earthenware  is  “ fashioned  to  fit  over  the  case,”  leaving 
between  these  a vacant  space  to  be  filled  with  the  metal.  This 
arrangement  is  deficient  in  not  providing  proper  escape  for  the 
gases,  which  are  engendered  in  heavy  castings  in  the  earth,  and 
which  are  liable  to  cause  the  metal  to  be  porous,  or,  being  highly 
inflammable,  to  explode  with  great  damage.  An  improved  process 
has  been  introduced  at  the  Troy  Bell  Foundry,  consisting  in  the 
use  of  perforated  iron  cases — the  outer  one  in  the  shape  of  the 
bell,  and  the  inner  one  the  case  which  sets  in  the  centre  of  its 
saucer-shaped  foundation.  Each  of  these  receives  a coating  of 
loam,  the  outer  one  within,  and  the  case  around  its  outside;  but 
over  the  latter  is  first  wrapped  a straw  rope,  which,  taking  fire 
and  burning  slowly  as  the  metal  is  poured  between  the  two  cases, 
leaves  a free  space  for  the  bell  to  contract  in  cooling  without 
straining.  The  perforations  through  the  cases  let  out  the  vapors, 
and  also  serve  to  keep  the  coating  of  loam  in  its  place.  As  the 
gas  escapes  through  these  holes,  it  burns  with  a pale  blue  flame  i 


76  TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 

without  risk,  the  whole  apparatus  being  placed  above  the  level 
of  the  ground. 

The  best  proportion  of  the  height  of  a bell  to  its  greatest 
diameter  is  said,  by  foreign  authorities,  to  be  as  12  to  15.  In 
conformity  to  the  laws  ol  acoustics,  the  number  of  vibrations 
of  a bell  varies  in  inverse  ratio  with  its  diameter,  or  the  cube 
root  of  its  weight. 

INSCRIPTIONS. 

Many  of  the  inscriptions  found  on  old  bells  are  quaint  and 
interesting,  as  indicating  the  superstitions  and  fancies  of  the 
ancients  in  connection  with  bells,  as  well  as  their  great  reverence 
for  them  and  fear  of  their  power.  They  also  indicate,  in  many 
cases,  the  customs  of  the  people.  These  inscriptions  were  often 
in  honor  of  some  saint,  or  to  commemorate  some  act  of  special 
mercy  or  charity,  or  deliverance.  A peal  of  eight  bells  in  the 
tower  of  St.  Helen’s  Church,  Worcester,  England,  cast  in  the 
year  1706,  bear  inscriptions  in  couplets  commemorative  of  Blen- 
heim, Barcelona,  Ramillies,  Menia,  Turin,  Egen,  Marlborough 
and  Queen  Anne. 

The  following  old  Latin  inscription — or  fragments  of  it — has 
been  rung  upon  European  bells  for  centuries : 

*“  Laudo  Deum  verum,  plebem  voco  conjugo  clerum, 

Defunct  as  ploro,  pestem  fugo,  testa  decoro. 

Funera  plango,  fulgura  frango,  Sabbata  pango, 

Excito  lentos,  dissipo  ventos,  paco  crucentos.” 

The  following  one  has  been  common  in  England  for  300  years, 
and  also  much  used  in  this  country : 

“ I to  the  church  the  living  call, 

And  to  the  grave  do  summon  all.” 

The  foil ovring  are  selections  of  some  old  inscriptions: 

One  upon  a bell  in  Wiltshire,  England,  cast  1619: 

Be  strong  in  fay  the,  prayes  God  well 
Francis  Countess  Hertford’s  bell.” 

* I praise  the  true  God  ; I call  the  people;  I assemble  the  clergy  ; 

I lament  the  dead  ; I drive  away  infections ; I grace  the  festival. 

I mourn  at  the  burial  ; I abate  the  lightnings ; I announce  the  Sabbath  ; 

I arouse  the  indolent , I dissipate  the  winds  ; 1 appease  the  revengeful. 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


77 


Upon  one  in  Oxfordshire,  cast  16(57  : 

“ I ring  to  sermon  with  a lusty  boome, 

That  all  may  come,  and  none  stay  at  home.” 

Upon  one  in  Nottinghamshire,  cast  1003: 

“Jesus  be  our  spede.” 

Upon  one  in  Wiltshire,  cast  1585: 

“0  man  be  meeke  and  live  in  rest." 

Upon  one  (a  lire  hell)  in  Dorsetshire,  cast  1052: 

“ Lord  quench  this  furious  flame, 

Arise,  run,  help,  put  out  the  same.” 

Upon  one  in  Somersetshire,  cast  1700: 

“All  you  of  Bath  that  hear  me  sound, 

Thank  Lady  Hopton’s  hundred  pound.” 

Upon  one  in  Hampshire,  cast  1600: 

“God  be  our  guyd.” 

Upon  one  in  Cambridgeshire  (St.  Benet’s,  Cambridge),  one  of 
a peal  of  six,  cast  1607 : 

“Of.  al.  the.  bells,  in.  Benet.  I.  am.  the.  best. 

And.  yet.  for.  my.  casting,  the.  parish,  paide.  lest.” 

Upon  one  in  Warwickshire,  cast  1675: 

“ I ring  at  six  to  let  men  know 
When  too  and  from  thair  worke  to  go.” 

Upon  one  in  Staffordshire,  cast  1604: 

“ Bee  it  known  to  all  that  doth  me  see 
That  Newcombe  of  Leicester  made  me.” 

John  Martin  also  makes  himself  known  upon  one  (of  a peal 
of  three)  in  Worcestershire,  cast  1675: 

“John  Martin  of  Worcester  he  made  wee 
Be  it  known  to  all  that  do  we  see.” 

The  great  bell  of  Rouen,  in  France,  presented  to  St.  Mary’s 
church  by  George,  Archbishop  of  Rouen,  bore  this  inscription  : 

* “ Je  suis  nommee  George  d’Ambois, 

Que  plus  que  trente  six  mil  pois ; 

Et  si  qui  bien  me  poysera, 

Quarante  mil  y trouvera.” 


* I am  named  George  of  Amhoise,  and  weigh  more  than  thirty-six  thousand  pounds ; my 
true  weight  would  be  nearer  forty  thousand. 


i 


78 


TROY  BELL  FOUNDRY. 


One  of  three  in  Orkney,  Scotland,  cast  1528,  bears  the 
following : 

“Maid  be  master  robert  maxvel,  bishop  of  Orkney,  y*  second  zier  of  liis  conse- 
cration y®  zier  of  Gode  ImVc  XXVIII,  y®  XV.  zier  of  kyng  James  y®  V.  be  robert 
borthvyk ; maid  al  thre  in  y®  castel  of  Edynburgh.” 

Upon  the  great  bell  in  Glasgow  Cathedral,  is  this : 

“ In  the  year  of  grace  1583,  Marcus  Knox,  a merchant  in  Glasgow,  zealous  for 
the  interest  of  the  Reformed  Religion,  caused  me  to  be  fabricated  in  Holland  for 
the  use  of  his  fellow-citizens  of  Glasgow,  and  placed  me  with  solemnity  in  the 
Tower  of  their  Cathedral.  My  function  was  announced  by  the  impress  on  my 
bosom : ‘ Me  audito  venias  doctrinam  sanctam  ut  discas,’  and  I was  taught  to 

proclaim  the  hours  of  unheeded  time.  195  years  had  sounded  these  awful  war- 
nings when  I was  broken  by  the  hands  of  inconsiderate  and  unskillful  men.  In 
the  year  1790,  I was  cast  into  the  furnace,  refounded  at  London,  and  returned  to 
my  sacred  vocation.  Reader ! thou  also  shall  know  a resurrection  ; may  it  be  to 
eternal  life.  Thomas  Mears,  fecit,  London,  1790.” 

Most  intimately  is  the  voice  of  the  bell  associated  with  the 
religious  and  imaginative,  as  also  with  the  most  joyous  and 
saddest  feelings  of  mankind. 


GENERAL  INDEX  TO  CATALOGUE. 


Page. 

Caution, 2 

Introductory 3 

Premiums,  Medals.  &c., 4,  5,  6 

Patent  Metal. c Flasks, 6,  7 

Hildreth's  ‘Rotary  Yoke, 8,  9 

Church  Hells 12 

Mountings  (price  of), 13 

Factory,  Academy,  and  Depot  Bells, 14 

Steam  boat  Bells 15 

Ship  Bells,, 15 

Locomotive  and  Plantation  Bells, 16 

Altar  Bells 17 

Altar  Chimes, 18 

Altar  Hand  Bells 18 

Chimes  and  Peals  of  Bells, 19,  20,  21,  22,  23 

Fire  Alarm  Bells, 24  | 

Clapper  Springs 25 

Tolling  Hammer 25 

Stop, 25 

Old  Bells 26 

Inscriptions 26 

Mounting  Directions  for), 26 

Towers  for  Bells 28 

Ringing  (Directions  for) 28 

Raising  Bell  in  the  Yoke 29 

Turning  Bell  in  the  Yoke, 29 

Warranty 29 

Location  of  Foundry 30 

Shipping  Directions, 30 

Transportation  (Rates  of  ) 30 

Recommendations, 31,  43 

“ Later 44,  54 

Index  to  Recommendations 55,  56 

History  of  Bells 57 

Electrical  Bells 68 

Musical  Bells 69 

Large  Bells,  69 

Metals  used, 73 

Shape  of  Bells,  ...  75 

Manufacture  of  Bells 75 

Ancient  Inscriptions, 76,  78 


/ 


/ 


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